“Incredibly lucky” – is how an Athlone Park mother feels after her family survived a home invasion in Park Drive on Monday night, 12 March despite her son being shot.
The mother, who did not wish to be named, was sitting in the lounge with her front door open when four thugs derailed her gate and entered her property at about 7.30pm.
“My daughter was sitting in the dining room when she became aware of someone outside,” said the mother. “She got up to run when I saw a man come inside the house and I yelled to my children to run and hit the panic button. My first thought was to get my children to safety and away from him.
“I always thought I would freeze in a situation like this. I registered he had something in his hand but I didn’t know it was a gun.”
READ ALSO: Toti teen shot in home invasion, suspects nabbed
Two of the thugs came into the house, while two waited outside. Her son was listening to music in his room and when he came out of his room to see what the commotion was, one of the men shot him in his right hip. Initially the family thought he was shot in the stomach. “It seemed like the man fired by mistake – I don’t think he meant to fire, as he was still holding his gun by his hip.”
The men grabbed her cellphone and bolted outside to where their getaway vehicle was waiting for them and fled.
“We didn’t know my son had been shot. I was shocked and in disbelief. When I lifted his shirt, I just saw a small bruise. When it started bleeding, I realised he had been shot.”
READ ALSO: Call CCPO direct when crisis strikes
They rushed her son to hospital. He has made a speedy recovery, with the bullet fortunately missing all his vital organs. “We were very, very lucky,” said the relieved mother. “It could have turned out much worse.”
The SUN has heard that one of the robbers was out on bail for a home invasion that took place in the Scottburgh area in recent months.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
