BARBERTON – It has been just over two weeks since an armed robbery took place at the Lemmer’s family home, during which they were tied up and among other things, robbed of their Toyota Fortuner. Last week, a similar scenario took place at the house of another prominent businessman in town.
On the evening of August 6, Hi-Tech received a call from the home of Nico Botha, owner of Barberton Pharmacy. The call was made by his spouse Suzette and she informed officer Collin Walker that they had just experienced the terrible ordeal of a break-in.
By the time Barberton Times arrived on the scene at approximately 20:45, it was to find a clearly traumatised family of four.
Nico was in no state to talk to the newspaper. He had been assaulted and sustained injuries to his face, and his mouth was still bleeding badly.
Five-year-old Keagan was playing by himself, seemingly occupied with his toys and make-believe games, but it was obvious to most grown-ups that it was only his mind’s way of dealing with the trauma. Suzette and Nico’s 16-year-old Stefan were to all outward appearances, calm and collected, but by looking at their hands and into their eyes, one could see that the horror which transpired only moments before, would remain with them for a long time to come.
While Keagan had been asleep in his room, the rest of the family was carrying in the groceries Suzette had bought. She was busy in the kitchen unpacking while Stefan went outside to fetch the last of the parcels. Armed men, who had jumped over the wall, told him to keep quiet and held him at gunpoint to gain entry through the front door which led into the kitchen.
“They ordered us into the dining room where they proceeded to tie our hands and feet. They must have watched us for quite a while as they kept searching for and enquiring about the fourth person, whom I only figured out afterwards, must have been the exchange student who had already left for Germany. They kept walking through the house asking, ‘Where’s the other one?'” said Suzette.
She told the paper that two of men were Portuguese speaking and although some of them were very aggressive, another two were quite “concerned” with the family’s comfort as they even provided pillows for their heads and Keagan’s pillow and blanket.
First they had Stefan take them to the safe and demanded firearms and money. When he couldn’t help them, they brought him back, tied him up and proceeded to take Nico. “This was when they started to assault him because he couldn’t immediately recall the safe’s combination.”
Among the things that were stolen were all the cellphones, most of the digital equipment and the couple’s wedding rings. They made off in the family’s Toyota Fortuner.
After they had left, Stefan managed to cut through the rope on his legs, immediately pushed the panic button and locked the door. He then freed the rest of his family and Suzette phoned Hi-Tech. The SAPS and Hi-Tech arrived at the same time and the Bothas only had praise for both. “The police officers did their job incredibly well and Hi-Tech’s men were very helpful.”
The Fortuner, which was equipped with a tracker, could be monitored. It was found abandoned in Tsonga the next day. The family recovered it with all the stolen goods, except some of the cellphones and their wedding rings.
During the week that followed, the Bothas became aware of little things which previously had not made sense. Suzette said on the previous Saturday, she had noticed that their neighbourhood-watch sign had been removed, but they had not thought much of it at the time. Some of the neighbours had noticed a silver Suzuki Swift driving regularly in Norman Nader Street during the time that preceded the break-in. One of the Hi-Tech officers had also observed the same car during that week in town and responding to a gut feeling, took a photo of it. The registration number is ABV 582 MP. Suzette said, “It’s amazing how the people of this community came together to help us through this difficult time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
“Be constantly alert and notify the SAPS or Hi-Tech if anyone or anything arouses your suspicion. Should you ever find yourself in a situation like this, give your cooperation at all times. To become aggressive will only endanger your life. Let them take everything they want. Life is worth more than possessions.”
