Sandra Bates: Danger at home

POLOKWANE – “They were shouting that they were going to kill us and entered the house knowing we were there; they were out for blood.”

Sandra Bates, a recent victim of a robbery at her home while she was there, this week related her ordeal to Review.

With burglaries and robberies occurring regularly in the city, Bates decided to share some information about her ordeal in the hope that others could learn from her experience.

Sandra and her son, Sean were attacked in their Polokwane home around a month ago. During the attack her son shot one of the attackers after he (Sean) was stabbed in the head and arm. The attacker died at the scene while his accomplice fled.

Sandra said following the attack on them, she attended several community meetings and was told that people who robbed houses were not out to kill or hurt anyone. She said her opinion was that talk like this made people feel safe with the result that they let down their guard, making it easier for robberies to be committed.

“I can only speak from my own experience and the facts were simple. Those men never intended to just steal. Thinking back to that night, which still feels like yesterday, I remember the screams and the sound of their raised voices remain in my nightmares,” Sandra said.

She recalled the fear and the silent prayers and not knowing if she and her son would survive.

Sandra said she wanted to warn people not to be complacent in their own homes and to be vigilant and prepared for any situation. Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala agreed that people needed to be more vigilant and keep their doors and windows locked. “Being proactive is always better than finding oneself in a dangerous situation and having to react,” Phala said.

He confirmed that in cases where people broke into houses when the residents were at home, the robbers were well aware that there were people there, and they were prepared for a confrontation.

Phala warned that houses that were being targeted for a burglary or robbery were watched by the robbers first, and that usually knew every move the family made.

He added that while people should be prepared, they should not take the law into their own hands.

“People should try to assist the police by reporting any suspicious activities as soon as possible,” he concluded.

(WATCH) Interview with Sean Bates

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