Attempted home invasion turns terrifying
NORTHCLIFF – Residents fend off would-be attacker in Northcliff.
During one of Johannesburg’s infamous storms on 3 September, two Northcliff residents who have asked to remain anonymous were alone in their cottage. After they finished watching TV at around 8.30pm, Kate* and Jane* went to bed. Not even 10 minutes after the lights went out, Kate, heard a noise at the window, despite the racket of the thunder outside. Upon investigation, Jane, discovered it was being made at the front door.
On opening the front door, Jane discovered an intruder had already broken the lock on the security gate and was trying to break into the door. As she tried to shut the door, he placed his foot in the way. As she stamped on his foot with her own, he hit hers with his crow bar. Jane then tussled with the intruder through the gate. After screaming, their neighbour pushed the panic button.
The Fairland Police arrived quite soon onto the scene. What was upsetting for these residents was the police’s perceived attitude of nonchalance about the incident. They wanted to open a case but the police allegedly told them, “It’s raining and he’s long gone. There is nothing we can do.”
The women alleged that they were not asked if they were alright, nor to date have they been offered trauma counselling. The police allegedly gave the scene a cursory glance and did not take fingerprints. Overall, they feel disappointed by the police’s reaction and attitude.
Jane said, “I’m so tired. I’m not sleeping. I have to take medication at night and I’m not taking it now because I’m too scared to fall asleep. But once we get our front gate fixed and a gate installed between the lounge and sleeping area, hopefully that will change.”
Kate added, “We’re now scared to be in our own home. We keep everything locked and we get nervous at strange sounds. We used to go for walks on the property. But now with the increase of vagrants in the area, we don’t want to.”
Fairland Police spokesperson Constable Michael Kgatla said that he is “looking into the matter.”
*Not their real names.
