A Helderkruin couple was left traumatised after being assaulted and tied up with men’s ties in their home on Friday, May 27.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2019/10/24/kcva-community-patroller-foils-house-robbery/
At around 13:00 Piet and Rina Badenhorst got the shock of their lives when three armed men stormed into their home on Witteberg Street.
According to Rina the thugs broke the lock of the side gates and entered the house through the kitchen door.
“My husband took a lot of beating and suffered concussion. They then cleared out the safe and wanted specific items like jewellery, money and firearms. They showed no mercy. Please be cautious and never ignore strange noises or if the dogs are restless or barking. They took us by surprise and broke locks with a gwala. Thank you to the police, neighbourhood watch and people in Witteberg Street who came to see what’s happening. Roodepoort police officers were extremely helpful,” said Rina.
The couple told the Record that they wished to warn everyone to be cautious and never ignore strange sounds or a neighbour’s dogs barking – it’s for a reason.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2022/02/07/family-of-attacked-elderly-speaks-out/
“Have your panic buttons in easy to reach places, stay calm and do whatever the perpetrators tell you to do. Don’t try to fight them because they will definitely hurt you more. Lately, there had been many of the same armed robberies in Helderkruin and Wilro Park, and we feel strongly about security companies’ service,” added Rina.
The couple lived in the same house for 27 years and had to endure the assault and robbery at the hands of criminals.
“Our worst fear was that one of us or both would be killed. We also raise our two grandchildren and I just prayed the entire time that my daughter would not arrive with the children whilst the robbers were still in the house,” said Rina.
Roodepoort Police Station spokesperson, Captain Juanita Yorke shared some safety tips for the community to be more alert:
• Ensure that all doors are locked at all times, and windows are closed when you are not at home.
• Large dogs serve as a deterrent, and at least one dog should be trained to sleep inside the house.
• If you leave your residence inform family/ neighbours of your intended destination, time you expect to return and the route you will be driving.
• Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks, ladders, etc that can be used in an attack are locked away when you do not use them.
• Vary your daily routine.
• Get into the habit of not falling asleep immediately after switching off the lights.
• Remain awake for a while.
• You should not be visible in the bedroom from the outside when you are asleep.
• Always keep a torch nearby at night and when you use it, ensure that you do not give away your position.
• If you are unsure about the security status of your home after returning from work or a visit do not come to the gate, and do not enter your home.
• Contact your neighbour to assist you in securing your home.
• Identify relatively safe places of refuge, such as a bathroom, toilet or storeroom.
• The fewer windows and doors these rooms have, the better.
• Involve employees as they are part of the family or team.
• Employees must be involved in maintaining security on an equal footing.
• Report suspicious behaviour and information to the police.
• Clear the areas around the gates of bushes and other hiding places.
• Take photographs of all employees; it could be to your advantage to identify them, if required.
• Remunerate your employees when useful information is provided that contribute to the prevention of crime.
• Do not employ casual workers without a reference.
• Keep copies of all your employees’ Identity Documents (IDs).
• Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.
