Pensioner ‘chopped’ by brazen robbers

Durban - A gang of ruthless robbers attacked a Phoenix pensioner outside his home, “chopped” his head and made off with his valuables before returning two days later in a bid to steal some more.

The 64-year-old man is recovering in hospital, shocked at how brazen criminals were becoming.

His son-in-law, who lives with them and who had walked in on the robbery, said his in-laws had returned to their Westham home after a family gathering last Sunday when they heard their dog barking hysterically.

Names are being withheld because the couple and the man fear they could be attacked again.

“My father-in-law was in the lounge watching television and his wife, 62, was in the bedroom. Around 10.30pm the dogs started barking so he went outside to check what was going on.”

He said that as his father-in-law approached the garage he was held up by four robbers.

“They were armed with a blunt object, possibly a bush-knife or crowbar. The men threw him to the ground. Two suspects pinned him to the ground and started hitting him. One of the suspects took the weapon and hit him on the head.”

He said while this was happening two other suspects were ransacking the house.

“The fence is high and they were passing the valuables over the fence to additional suspects. I am not sure how many were there.”

He said when his mother-in-law did not hear him coming back into the house she went to investigate what was going on, only to be confronted by one of the suspects.

“She walked right into the suspect. He grabbed her and tried to pull her jewellery. She fought with him and started screaming for help. This alerted the neighbours who came out to assist the family.”

He arrived at the home only to hear his mother-in-law screaming.

“I was parked at the driveway and heard her shout for help. I saw her husband lying on the ground and these men jumped over the fence and ran off.”

The son-in-law said he was in shock.

“My father-in-law sustained a severe chop on his head and was bleeding profusely. She (the mother-in-law) put him into the car and they went to the hospital. The robbers took the television and jewellery.”

On the Tuesday after the incident the robbers returned, he said.

“Again, around 10.30pm they jumped over the fence. This time it was only two men. I saw them and started screaming and shouting. Neighbours who noticed them did the same and they ran off.”

He said he believed the robbers had come back to finish the job because they thought no one was home.

“Since the incident the family has been left shaken. We are just glad that my father-in-law is doing well and is now at home recovering.”

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane said the incident was being investigated by Phoenix SAPS and no arrests had been made.