Warning: Spike in Durban Home Invasions

A Pinetown couple in their seventies were two of a number of victims in various home invasions in and around Durban over the weekend.
The pensioners were busy with household chores at about 11am on Monday when two suspects entered their property and overpowered their victims.
“Blue Security attended the scene after being notified by the neighbourhood watch and discovered that the homeowner had just gone upstairs after working in the garden and his wife was busy hanging up washing when the intruders struck,” said Blue Security community and media liaison officer, Andreas Mathios.
The two suspects gained access to the house through the open front door. The homeowner was coming down the stairs when he saw the suspects inside the house busy removing the television from the wall unit.

“One of the suspects was armed with a firearm, the other one had a knife. The homeowner’s wife was accosted and forced into the house whilst he was tied to the staircase’s balustrades with a cable tie after trying to confront the suspects,” Mathios said.
After unsuccessfully trying to force their female victim into a cupboard they resorted to locking her into the bathroom.
“The suspects drove off in the family vehicle – a silver VW Polo Vivo – after first moving a bakkie out of the way which was parked on the driveway. The TV and cash were also taken,” he said.
The suspects made off in an undisclosed direction. No shots were fired and no-one was injured even though the homeowner had narrowly avoided being stabbed during the scuffle and the couple were left severely traumatised.

In a separate incident in Sydenham, in the early hours of Monday morning, family members were unharmed after a suspect broke into the home by breaking the downstairs main door and gate.
The suspect fled with R5000 cash and jewellery.
In a third incident, a vehicle was later recovered after

a resident was attacked at her Wyebank home on Saturday afternoon.
“On arrival at the scene, Blue Security was advised that four suspects (one armed with a firearm) had demanded that workers open the driveway gates,” Mathios said.
The intruders then proceeded to the house where they ransacked the interior and assaulted the homeowner with the firearm.
“A Ford Ecosport was taken by the suspects but was later tracked to KwaMashu where it was found abandoned,” he said.
The victim was treated by paramedics at the scene after she sustained head injuries from the assault. She was then transported to Crompton Hospital for further treatment.
All three incidents are being investigated by SAPS.

“Durban residents are advised of a recent spike in home invasions and to increase security measures in and around the property,” Mathios said.
“Be extra vigilant, do not leave doors and entrances open or unlocked. If suspicious individuals or activity is noted in the neighbourhood, contact security providers in order that extra patrols can be escalated in the area,” he said.