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Domestic worker Betty Hlalethwa speaks about her ordeal with robbers who attacked Lucas Van Tonder's residence in Parkmore injuring her and the owner of the house. Four suspects were arrested and one was shot dead at the scene. Picture:Paballo Thekiso
Dressed only in her pyjamas Betty Hlalethwa risked her life to save her employer.
Advocate Lucas van Tonder and his friend Jessica Saurwein from Cape Town were held up on Wednesday night by three armed and balaclava-clad robbers in his Parkmore, Sandton, home, when Hlalethwa, 44, entered.
They had tied up Saurwein before beating up the Cape wine estate owner and holding him at gunpoint as they ransacked his home for money, jewellery and other valuables.
Hlalethwa screamed loudly as the robbers tried to grab her.
She fought them off and as she did, she alerted Van Tonder’s next door neighbour who shot and hit at least one of the robbers.
“I had just finished taking a shower when I heard the dogs barking non-stop and I went out to check and try to bring them in,” a shaken Hlalethwa recalled yesterday.
“When I left the main house earlier, Mr Van Tonder had still been in the dining room eating. When I returned to check on the dogs, I saw two men wearing balaclavas standing at the door to his bedroom. One of them yelled at me to get inside and pulled at me, but I screamed loudly.”
One of the gunmen clubbed her with his pistol. She saw blood dripping on the floor from her wound, but did not stop screaming for help.
“I kept screaming because I thought they were going to kill me. When they grabbed me, my boss wasn’t there, but I saw one of the men run out with his bags with the new cameras,” said Hlalethwa.
“A few minutes after the one had left the house with the bag I heard gunshots at the gate and the remaining two ran out trying to escape with stolen cellphones and jewellery.”
Van Tonder said one of the robbers was shot in the chest, neck and head by a neighbour who responded to Hlalethwa’s screams. The two other robbers were caught by security guards and neighbours while attempting to escape.
Police confirmed the two robbers appeared in court yesterday on charges of robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms. Police would not confirm the condition of the third robber who had been shot.
Last night, one of the neighbours told how her husband responded to the pleas for help.
“He suspected that there was a robbery in progress. When he walked out of the gate, he saw movement at our neighbour’s gate, and as he asked the guy what he was doing, he realised the guy was carrying a firearm, so he opened fire himself. We were terrified, but we are glad that we were able to help,” she said.
Yesterday, Van Tonder heaped praise on Hlalethwa.
“I was held and beaten up badly. If it hadn’t been for Betty, I would be dead.
“Police said these robbers were part of gang that has been robbing houses in the area.”
He said the investigating officers had told him the man who was shot and is in a critical condition was linked to the hijacking of Judith Sexwale, wife of Human Settlement Minister Tokyo Sexwale’, in 2007. Police could not confirm this.
Police spokeswoman Constable Matome Tlamela said the robbers remained in custody after their case was postponed yesterday. Investigating officer Captain Kim Cloete of the Sandton police could not be reached for comment.
Hlalethwa said yesterday she was still shocked by the incident, having been forced to stare down the barrel of a gun for the first time in her life.
She’s been working for Van Tonder for seven years.
“I’m still scared to go into the house at night,” she said. “Every time I climb the staircase I feel like I am going through the ordeal again. I can still visualise how the men in their balaclavas looked. I thought I was going to die.” - Saturday Star
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WOW, wrote
Betty, you are so lucky you were not shot when you started screaming, glad it all worked out though. Imagine if South Africa was a country where our kids were able to walk freely in the streets, our homes were not covered with burglar bars, our gardens not fenced in, imagine not fearing for your life and those of your loved ones everyday - we would seriously live in the best country out then but instead we live in constant terror of being brutally murdered everyday - it just aint right.
Kyle V N, wrote
Active, wrote
Frank Hartry, wrote
There is a state reward for anyone whose actions lead to the arrest of criminals. Betty's screams did that and Van Toder should help her apply for it. I have a feeling that Van Tonder himself will reward Betty. After all it is he that has told the world that the pluck lady saved his life.
Kitch, wrote
virginia, wrote
Thanks to the brave lady,hope Mr Van Tonder realised what you are from today and gave a good thank you to you.
Anonymous, wrote
Do you know that for sure bitter anonymous man??? I'm from the uk but my family live in SA and treat their domestic lady VERY well! I'm sure this family will. Go take a chill pill.
@anonymous@01.03pm, wrote
You sarcastic **** - this country needs more people like Betty - not like you.....You have no idea what her working relationship is like, yet you make the kind of remarks that stir up racial emotions.....CONGRATULATIONS BETTY - YOU ARE ADMIRED AND RESPECTED (and I do hope you get a BIG BONUS).
Lyn, wrote
@Anonymous 01:03 - what a stupid comment! Who says her boss is white and why does that matter? Why assume she works for a crap salary or that the boss treats her like sh*t?? If you don't have anything worth saying then don't comment.... I'm sure he will thankfully reward her in some way, but that's not why she did what she did. She did that to save them all and really well done to her.
Benson, wrote
Lungie, wrote
sa, wrote
The neighbour will be charged with attempted murder, his fire arm license revoked and the maid will be charged with disturbing the peace by making too much noise. The robbers will go out on bail and disappear, their files will get lost, the case will be closed and the wounded guy will get treatment in Sandton Clinic and sue the neighbour for compensation. When he comes out he will be convicted for robbery but get out on medical parol.
Kyle, wrote
Having lived in Sandton before moving to the Middle East i can say i was robbed several times, 2 of the times i was actually supposed to be home but thanks to the NIGHTMARE traffic of Rivonia Rd, missed the event by mere minutes. It was either buy a gun or leave SA...Im afraid the SAP are more criminal than the criminals so there is no fabric to the society anymore :(
Chris, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Betty you brave one. South African are G@@VOL and its so pleasing to read these types of stories. I love it when the baddies get there asses kicked.
Lama, wrote
same criminals ,I think the law is letting down South Africans, if it is true that one of the criminals was involve in "He said the investigating officers had told him the man who was shot and is in a critical condition was linked to the hijacking of Judith Sexwale, wife of Human Settlement Minister Tokyo Sexwale’, in 2007. Police could not confirm this."
Anonymous, wrote
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