POLOKWANE – Christie Jordaan, the boy’s mother, says she was at work when she got a call from her son just after 17:00 saying they had been robbed.
“The maid leaves at around 16:00 and when she leaves, she locks the door. My son was watching a movie on his computer when he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder. He says he turned around in surprise, when a man behind him pressed a knife to his neck and shoved his face against the computer table,” she explains.
There were two men in the house who cut the computer cable and used it to tie the boy up. They bound his hands and feet and threw a blanket over his head.
“They asked if he had a cell phone and after he said he didn’t, they searched his room for it. It was in fact in a jacket pocket but they did not find it. One of the men stayed in the room with my son while the other searched the rest of the house for money,” she continues. “My son says he could hear banging in a different room in the house.”
It was later established one of the men had broken loose the safe with the firearms inside. They fled the scene with the safe soon after and once the boy was sure he was alone, he managed to get to his phone and call his mother.
“I called my neighbour and asked her to check on my son after which I alerted the police and the local Community Policing Forum (CPF).”
Police Spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala confirmed a robbery had taken place and said police are investigating the incident. Residents with information that could lead to the arrest of the two men can contact Const Makgopo at 073 616 9254.
Phala, told Review this is the first break-in reported in a while and they believe this might mean an increase in robberies may occur in the near future. He urged residents to be alert and ensure their properties are secure and that they always lock up.
He shared a few safety tips for home and property owners:
- If you plan on going on a trip, ask a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your house while you’re away.
- Try not to announce your absence from your home on social media.
- Notify your security company and CPF that you will be out of town.
- Close your curtains to prevent people from peering inside to see whether you’re there.
- Don’t leave your lights on when you’re not home.
- Place a stop order on mail and newspapers.
He urged residents to report any strange people or vehicles in their area and keep a look out on their own properties as criminals have been known to gain entrance to property by way of adjacent properties.
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