A woman survived a terrifying ordeal after first being robbed at gunpoint outside her Carletonville home, then tied up with duct tape inside her house while the robbers stole her possessions and then taken to a bank to withdraw money.
Warrant Officer Raymond Sebonyane, Westonaria Police spokesperson said the incident took place at about 9.15am on Monday (10 April).
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Constables Rhulani Makondo and Dipuo Mapholo visited an Absa branch in Westonaria where a security guard told them about a client in the bank who appeared to be very nervous. The security guard said he had asked the woman whether she was okay, to which she replied, “Everything is under control”.
“The police then took charge. They also asked the woman if everything was fine and once again she said there was no problem. A young man, who turned out to be 19, suddenly chipped into the conversation and said the woman was his adoptive parent,” Sebonyane said.
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He said the police became very suspicious because while they were talking to the woman she kept on winking at them. The police then asked the young man to step aside to be able to talk to the woman alone.
The woman explained to the police that the young man and his friend had robbed her at gunpoint at her home in Carletonville. They forced her to give them the keys to the safe and then took her husband’s firearm from it, as well as one cellphone, jewellery and two tablets.
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“They demanded money, which the woman said she did not have, but they forced her to give them her bank card and PIN code. One of the robbers subsequently went to the bank to withdraw money while the another one stayed with her in the house,” Sebonyane said. He was able to withdraw R2 000. On his return they demanded more money, untied her and took her to the Absa branch in Westonaria to make another withdrawal. One of the robbers attempted to withdraw R20 000 from the account.
The police officers were able to arrest one of the suspected robbers but the other one got away.
Westonaria Police station commander, Colonel Selvan Moonsamy and Vispol commander Luitenant Colonel Hazel Makhafola applauded the members for their good work.
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