#ThrowBackThursday – Another woman attacked
Another woman attacked in home invasion tells her story.
In this week’s edition of #ThrowBackThursday we look back at some attacks and assaults on members of the community, especially women, that have occurred in a short space of time.
On 10 March, a 64-year-old woman was attacked in her home on a farm and brutally tortured with a power drill.
On 19 April, a 51-year-old woman was held at gunpoint in a home burglary in Greenhills.
On Monday, 22 May, a woman in her early 60s was left in a critical condition and had to be airlifted to hospital after she was allegedly attacked on a plot in Ten Acres. The woman was attacked with a sharp object and had apparently sustained severe head injuries.
Another incident occurred on 29 May when an ex-Herald employee was tied up, assaulted and robbed in her home in Eikepark. She was inside her house speaking to a friend on her cellphone when she heard the dogs barking frantically. Still on the phone, she investigated and the next moment was surprised by the attackers. The suspects took her jewellery, cellphone, two laptops, her handbag, identity book, artwork, a pair of binoculars of sentimental value, and her spare car keys.
The list goes on and more than 90 per cent of incidents remain unreported.
The latest female victim to come forward after she was targeted in her home and survived the ordeal is 52-year-old Karen Hechter. She told the Herald that she came home after work at 1.10 pm one Monday afternoon, and suddenly got knocked over the head by one suspect. Another suspect approached her and tied her hands and feet and told her to lie down.
“They asked me where my safe was and told me that they will cut my throat if I lied to them,” said Hechter.
Shortly after, they tied up her domestic worker and took all her jewellery and valuable items in the house. Hechter also said that they ransacked every cupboard they could find. At that time there were five suspects in her home, some of whom kicked and punched her. They asked her for her car keys and also required her assistance with getting the garage door open. The suspects left her house and her tied up.
“After I saw the article in the Herald about the ex-employee who was involved in a similar incident, I felt the desire to tell my story and help other people,” said Hechter.
A few days after the incident, Hechter called her parson and received six weeks of counselling, which she feels is a must for people that go through such trauma.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za  (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
