WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES: 75-year-old woman brutally assaulted during robbery
WELTEVREDEN PARK– An elderly woman is kicked in the face during a housebreaking and robbery.
Shirley Esbach, a 75-year-old resident of Kastaiing Road in Weltevreden Park, was robbed and brutally assaulted at her home at 1pm on 5 June.
Esbach heard her two dogs barking. When she inspected the yard she noticed a man in the back garden. She then moved to the front of the house and saw two men trying to steal bicycles.
Esbach immediately called her son Ronald to alert him to the intruders. She was alone in her bedroom when the three men approached her. “The one man came up to me and said, ‘Shh or I will kill you’,” said Esbach. It was later speculated that the men gained entry through the lounge roof.
According to her, they covered their hands in socks and rummaged through the cupboards, demanding jewellery and money.
Esbach begged for her life and told the men, “I am a pensioner, please don’t hurt me.” Her cellphone rang with Roland on the other end. The robbers demanded she tell her son that no one was in the house. One of the robbers walked her into the spare room; it was then that she saw some neighbours from the bedroom window. She politely waved at them while trying not to bring any attention. “He then pushed me onto the chest by the bed and kicked me hard in the mouth,” said Esbach.
During this horrific ordeal, Honeydew SAPS, Londoloza and ADT had been alerted to the housebreaking and robbery which was still in progress. Once the suspects realised that the SAPS were on the scene, they fled and jumped over adjacent walls. Honeydew SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs commented, “Two suspects (aged 26 and 18) were arrested after joint efforts from residents, security and SAPS.”
WO Jacobs further added, “A case of housebreaking and robbery is currently being investigated by the Honeydew Detective Services. The Honeydew CPF Trauma Unit is currently busy with the counselling of the victim.”
Ronald Esbach said, “I would like to thank the Honeydew SAPS, Londoloza and ADT as well as our neighbours for their swift action.”
“I hope by sharing my story that it will help protect other people in our community,” Esbach concluded.
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