A resident of a farm in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley has been left traumatised after four unknown assailants tied her up, ransacked her house and made off with her bakkie and other valuables.
The woman was reportedly alone at home on Tuesday 16 May when she heard her dogs barking at approximately 21:30. Moments later, four men wearing balaclavas, rushed in through the front door that had reportedly been left unlocked.
Captain Fadila September, spokesperson for Hermanus police, reported the suspects had tied the victim’s hands and feet.
“One suspect allegedly pressed a knife to her throat and demanded to be shown where the safe’s and vehicles’ keys were kept. The suspects ransacked the house and took various valuables, which they reportedly packed into the victim’s suitcases. They then loaded everything in the victim’s white Toyota double cab bakkie and left the scene.”
Geon Ludick, chairperson of the Hemel-en-Aarde Rural Safety Association (Harsa), reported that the woman managed to free herself and call for help.
“All role-players were immediately activated, and police were on the scene in a short space of time,” he stated. “Harsa monitored all its cameras in the Valley and located the bakkie where it had been abandoned a few kilometres away.”
Ludick stated incidents such as this were not a common occurrence in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. He urged residents to be more safety-conscious and to lock their homes and vehicles.
“We will also have a big meeting for residents of the Valley on 8 June to discuss safety measures and how it can be improved,” he added.
The suspects are still at large. The police are investigating a case of house robbery and theft of a motor vehicle. Anyone with information can contact the Hermanus police on 028 313 5300.
In a separate incident on Wednesday 17 May, the police arrested three suspects and confiscated two firearms and ammunition when they responded to a tip-off about a suspicious vehicle in Landa Street, Zwelihle.
Captain September says they received the information about a suspicious Nissan vehicle with four occupants at approximately 20:00.
“The suspects sped off when they noticed the police but the officers managed to stop the vehicle,” said September. “The suspects jumped out and the police arrested three of the suspects.”
Two firearms, ammunition and cellphones as well as the vehicle were confiscated. The vehicle, said September, was reported stolen during a robbery in Lentegeur.
The suspects appeared in the Hermanus Magistrates’ Court on charges of the possession of a stolen vehicle as well as the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Colonel Luthando Nosilela, the Hermanus Police Station Commander, commended the officers for their swift action which led to the arrests. He added that the firearms will be sent for ballistic testing to determine whether they had been used in other crimes.
