Family in The Bluff seek support after traumatising home invasion

IN the early hours of September 4, the Scholtz family home on Beaumont Road was the scene of a terrifying home invasion that left the family bound and traumatised.

Also read: 7 safety tips to prevent a home invasion

John Scholtz, the family’s father, recounted the chilling incident. He and his wife, Chantal, had retired to bed, while their children and two friends were enjoying a small bonfire in the backyard. Santana (23), one of the daughters, described how she, her partner, Tamryn Marais, and her older sister, Jade Lombard (36), were suddenly confronted by three masked men armed with guns and a knife.

The intruders immediately overpowered the group, tying their hands and legs and covering their mouths with duct tape. The assailants searched the girls, taking their jewellery, phones and money.

Caz Scholtz (27), John and Chantal’s son, heard muffled noises coming from outside his window. “I kept hearing the distinct sound of tape being pulled repeatedly and thought it might be a prank,” he said. When he looked out, one of the robbers shone a light directly at him. The intruders left Santana and the others outside and barged into the house, banging on Caz’s door.

Caz attempted to barricade himself by pushing against the door, but his knee gave out, and the intruders overpowered him and tied him and his partner, Caitlyn Ryke, up. “They took everything from our overnight bag,” Caz said.

The robbers then made their way to the parents’ bedroom, where they tied up John and Chantal with duct tape and cable ties, stealing their valuables.

Chantal recalled begging the robbers to let her see her children, only to be dragged by her arms and hair across the house. She was threatened that if she didn’t co-operate, they would harm her children.

The assailants ransacked the home, stealing TVs, Caz’s tools and the family’s work laptops. They loaded the stolen items into Caz’s VW Tiguan and Jade’s Nissan Magnite before fleeing. They attempted to take a third vehicle but abandoned it at the bottom of the driveway, keeping the key.

Caz, who had only purchased his car two days earlier, expressed his devastation. “I worked for the last 15 years to save up money to buy this car on September 2, and now it’s been stolen. I haven’t even driven it,” he said.

The family is deeply shaken and struggling to cope with the aftermath of the traumatic event. “We haven’t slept since because every noise makes us feel unsafe,” said Jade.

Captain Louise le Roux, communications officer at the Brighton Beach Police Station, confirmed that a house robbery case has been opened, and investigations are underway.

The Scholtz family has reached out to the community for support, requesting donations of spare items like cellphones or laptops to help them continue their work. They expressed their gratitude for the immediate support they received from The Bluff community. Anyone able to assist the family can contact John Scholtz at 078 974 0897.

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