Cape Town - A Philippi businessman and his family are lucky to be alive after they were attacked by gun-wielding robbers at the weekend.
The robbers fled when the businessman shot back at them.
Nothing was stolen, but the home owner was shot in the leg and his employee in the foot.
On Saturday, just after 9am, five armed men stormed the home in 10th Avenue, Schaapkraal.
Community members say they were roused by gunshots and the anxious screams of the traumatised family.
Schaapkraal Safety Forum chairperson, Redaa Ameeroedien, says multiple shots were fired and it is believed the gunmen were using AK-47 assault rifles.
“Men entered the property trying to rob it. It ended in a shootout between gunmen and the homeowner,” he explains.
“Unfortunately there were injuries sustained during the altercation and an employee of the resident was shot.
“The suspects fled in a car and are still being sought by police.”
The family did not want to comment on Sunday, saying they were still too traumatised by the attack.
Residents in Schaapkraal believe they have become soft targets for criminals.
In August last year, dad of five, Siraaj Abrahams, 41, was ambushed and shot in the chest by two robbers as he was pulling his bakkie into his driveway.
Abrahams was lucky to survive after the bullet hit his new Huawei P9 light cellphone, which saved his life. Representatives from the cellphone company even flew out to Cape Town to see the “bulletproof” phone for themselves.
Ameeroedien says the Safety Forum has big plans to beef up security in the area to give residents peace of mind.
“The neighbourhood watch is fully active in the area now. We are planning to close down the side road entrances from Strandfontein Road leading into the area,” he says.
“We would like to place cameras in the area and have a control room which will be managed and funded by the community itself.”
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, confirmed the incident and is asking anyone with information to step forward.
“This office can confirm that a case of attempted murder and attempted house robbery are under investigation,” she says.
“According to information five armed unidentified men attempted to rob the complainant in his house. Two victims were shot."
“No one has been arrested at this stage," she said.
Anyone with information that can assist with the investigation is requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.