Eight armed suspects forced entry into a home in Verulam on Wednesday, opening fire on a neighbour during the onslaught.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said in a statement that the attack had taken place in Kensington Close, Parkgate. The gunmen had also assaulted a domestic worker.
"At approx 11.17am, members of (the unit) were called out to the scene and, upon arrival, were informed that the suspects had pointed their firearms at the domestic worker. They then assaulted her and ransacked the home."
The service said that the suspects had then exited the home and were confronted by a neighbour, who had also been armed at the time.
They said: "The suspects fired several shots and the neighbour returned fire. The men then fled in a white Hyundai iX35."
A flat screen TV, Sony Playstation 3 and a DVD player were among the items taken, they said.