Pietermaritzburg - Neighbours of an elderly woman have lauded her bravery and selflessness after she was shot while trying to warn them of a burglary.
The 67-year-old woman is fighting for her life in a Pietermaritzburg hospital after being shot in the stomach by three robbers who were in the process of ransacking her neighbour’s home in Darjeeling Heights, Northdale.
Relatives of the woman, whose identity is being withheld for her safety, confirmed she was in a critical condition after the shooting on Saturday.
“She was shot while doing what she always does – helping others. We are praying that God sees her through this,” said a distraught family member.
The 67-year-old allegedly spotted the thieves raiding her neighbour’s home from her balcony.
She opened the door and screamed for help, attempting to alert her neighbours about the burglary.
The gunmen, who had forced open the front door of the neighbouring house, stole a TV, laptop and an amplifier before running off.
They also allegedly shot at officers of ADT Security who arrived at the house.
No arrests have been made and the police are investigating the incident.
A neighbour, Arvin Singh, said he believed the woman was a heroine.
“She had no regard for her own well-being and acted spontaneously to help her neighbours and prevent a robbery. She is an amazing woman,” Singh said.
Singh said the community was mobilising to ensure that robberies and break-ins in the area were stopped.
“We are not safe in our own homes any more. We have to do something about it,” Singh said.
Daily News