A MEREBANK fisherman, who sat at his temple at Lakhimpur Road when six armed men stormed into his home, is grateful that God answered his prayers and saved his family from being killed.
Siva Reddy (78) was enjoying the fresh air at about 11:20 on November 7, when the men, some bare-faced and some with balaclavas, kicked open the gate and ran towards him. One of the men held a gun to Siva’s head and kicked him to the floor.
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“He kept his foot on my leg and the gun to my head while I lay helpless on the ground beside my temple. I prayed that God would keep my family and me safe as the men raced into my home, where my wife, son and sister were,” Siva said.
His wife, Gonno Reddy (68), was seated in the lounge with their son, Sagren Reddy, who had just been discharged from hospital after undergoing a hernia operation.
Gonno says she heard what seemed like horses galloping, and before she could leave her seat to check, five men ran into their home.
“One of the men grabbed me by my neck and hit me with the gun on my head. He then put his foot onto my thigh to make sure I didn’t move while he ripped my thali (religious nuptial chain) from my neck,” Gonno added.
Watching in horror as the gunmen attacked his mom, Sagren Reddy (43) could not react much as he was in pain following his medical procedure. He begged the intruders not to hurt his mother whom they demanded the keys to the safe from.
“They were ruthless. They kicked and punched me when I tried to shield my mother. I fell to the floor and even though my mother pleaded with him [one of the suspects] to stop beating me as I was ill, he continued to hit me while the other gunmen ransacked the house.
Siva’s 78-year-old sister, Indrani Maistry, who was on holiday in Durban from Johannesburg and was in the bathroom area when the men stormed into the home, cleverly hid in a tight squeeze, on tiptoes, behind the bathroom door and left it ajar so the gunmen couldn’t find her.
“I was as still as I could be, and I prayed for everyone’s safety while hearing their screams for help. I also prayed that the gunmen wouldn’t find me,” said Maistry.
The gang used pillowcases to carry the family’s valuables, including jewellery and cash saved from their social grant. They also stole the money from the family’s prayer area, which was kept in a tin as a prayer ritual.
According to reports from first responders, PT Alarms and Security, the suspects were travelling in a silver-grey Toyota Prestige.
PT Alarms and Security spokesperson Dhevan Govindasamy said it is believed that the same armed gang had invaded a home on Lahore Road in the Navy area shortly after they robbed the Reddy family.
Siva said the family was grateful to Wentworth Police for their speedy response and for providing them with counselling following the traumatising incident.
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