A 17-YEAR-old boy fatally stabbed a robber in self defence after he broke into his Pinelands home on Thursday, 29 January around 5.45pm.
According to Lt Bongumusa Manqele, communications officer for the SAPS Pinetown Cluster, it is believed one armed robber entered the house via the roof and confronted the boy, who was in the house, while a second robber waited outside the property.
“The boy allegedly heard the man breaking through the ceiling and went to the kitchen where he picked up a kitchen knife. They was a confrontation. The boy stabbed the robber in self defence. During the confrontation the boy was also stabbed in the head and hand by one of the robbers,” said Manqele.
Matthew Black* said he was in his bedroom packing for a church retreat when he heard a noise coming from the front door. He went to look but didn’t find anyone there. He returned to his room and noticed a man climbing on the patio roof. He immediately pressed the panic button and heard the ladder drop to the floor. He believed the intruder escaped. However, five minutes later the intruder returned to the roof again. Matthew pressed the panic button again but said this time the intruder showed no intention of leaving as he continued to bash at the roof tiles to gain entry to the house.
“I called our domestic worker and warned her to stay in her room as someone had broken into the house. I then tried to call my dad but there was no answer. I was just about to call the police when I realised the intruder was seconds away from breaking into the house, so I ran to the kitchen and armed myself with a knife and kept praying to God, saying that I didn’t want to die today,” said Matthew.
Matthew was heading to his parents’ room when he made contact with the intruder. He said he shouted at the intruder to leave but he knew he was not going to return the way he came into the house.
“I saw the intruder reach for something in his back pocket – it was a knife and he then charged at me. We struggled, and he pushed me against the cupboard. That’s when I defended myself until the intruder was on the floor and not moving,” said Matthew.
He then heard his dad’s whistle and ran to open the door to let him in. Five minutes later, Blue Security, the Pine Ridge Neighbourhood Watch and SAPS were on site.
The robber died at the scene. The domestic worker saw a second man, who was waiting outside, flee on foot. Matthew was counselled by two women from the Pine Ridge Neighbourhood Watch, who alerted paramedics and then transported Matthew to Hillcrest Private Hospital.
According to Dylan Jenkins, chairman of the Pine Ridge Neighbourhood Watch, Matthew received stitches in his head and had to undergo surgery on Friday for a severed tendon on his left thumb.
“When we were notified about the incident our first priority was to make sure the resident was safe, which is why we alerted SACan, who then alerted emergency services and the police. Our second priority was to secure the scene of the crime so that the police could do their job. We were able to network accordingly to produce efficient results,” said Jenkins.
He added that he was incredibly proud of Matthew, who was a real hero.
“It is his great belief in God that helped him survive this horrendous ordeal,” said Jenkins.
Matthew thanked God that he is alive today and for being with him through the confrontation. He also thanked all those who helped him through the traumatic experience and prayed that he never has to go through a situation like this again.
Matthew’s father said he was grateful to God for sparing his son and believes that Matthew has a purpose to fulfil. He also urged the community to be more vigilant and stand together to fight crime.
Police are investigating a case of house robbery and attempted murder and have instigated an inquest.
(*Matthew Black is a pseudonym used to protect the identify of the teenager involved.)
INFOBOX
DETECTIVES of the Pinetown Cluster Task Team are urgently looking for the relatives of the deceased who was involved in a house robbery that took place in Pinelands near Pinetown on Thursday, 29 January. The deceased is between 25 and 35 years old and is dark in complexion. He has a tattoo written Bad Boy on his chest. Anyone who can assist with information can contact the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Krish Govender, on 031 325 5040 or 072 400 0409. You may may also contact Crime Stop on 0860 010 111.
