A domestic worker, Maria Kamanga, was left traumatised after four suspects broke into a house on Bamboo Street on Tuesday afternoon.
A frantic Kamanga told Express she was alone when the suspects arrived.
“I was eating at the back of the house by the veranda when I heard something that sounded like someone trying to open the front gate,” said Kamanga.
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“At first I thought it was the boss’ son as he usually comes around the house during the day, but I got alarmed because the dog was barking hysterically and he only barks like that to strangers. I decided to have a look and saw a car pull in.
“I realised something wasn’t right because I didn’t know the vehicle or the man who got out. The man didn’t see me and I ran and locked myself in the cottage. I knew something was wrong because the owners usually tell me when I should expect people at the house during the day.”
Kamanga managed to get help.
“I pressed the panic button several times and tried to get hold of my boss on the phone,” she explained.
“I kept pressing the panic button until I heard gunshots from somewhere in the yard. I didn’t know what was happening and just kept pressing the button. Shortly after the gunshots I peeped through the window and saw a security officer and went outside. He asked if I was okay and told me there were intruders in the house.”
Wiekus van Vollenstee from SSS Smart Security responded to the alarm and got involved in a shoot-out with the suspects.
“I was at shops just up the road when I was alerted through a WhatsApp group. The owner of the house said someone was in the house,” Van Vollentsee told Express.
“When I stopped outside the house, one of the suspects got out the vehicle and started shooting at me. I shot at him and hit him in the shoulder.
“Another suspect came out of the house and also started shooting at me. I shot him in the stomach and he ran back into the house. Two other guys came outside but quickly went back in. They broke the back door’s lock and fled through the back.”
Kamanga and Van Vollentsee didn’t sustain any injuries during the incident.
The suspects left their getaway vehicle, a white VW Polo, at the premises. Among other things, gloves were found in the car.
Three rooms in the house were ransacked and the front security gate and door were broken open.
“We can confirm that Kempton Park SAPS’ detective unit is investigating a case of attempted house robbery,” said Capt Jethro Mtshali, spokesperson at Kempton Park SAPS.
“We appeal to anyone with information about the incident, as well as the suspects, to contact us on 08600 10111 or send an SMS to the crime line 32211 or the Kempton Park police on 011 393 8600.”
It is believed the men fled towards Pretoria Road where they got into a taxi.
