MALELANE – The hosts of the get-together, Mr Pieter Benade and Ms Elna Rautenbach and their guests were singing karaoke in the house when the robbers rushed in and held them at gunpoint.
According to police spokesman, Capt Sarie van der Walt, only one suspect was armed and the victims were forced to hand over their personal belongings. “The suspects searched the people and took all the cellphones, wallets, jewellery, money and even shoes of some of the victims.”
They said Mr Johan Basson was carrying a firearm and one of the men noticed this and alerted another suspect who man immediately started shooting Basson.
According to Van der Walt, he was hit three times, in the stomach, shoulder and arm.
Mr Renier du Plessis was also shot, in the foot, but Van der Walt said it was not yet clear whether it was a ricochet or a direct shot.
The victims said one robber was more aggressive than the others and they kept repeating,“Everyone is going to die tonight.” They assaulted another victim with sticks.
It was stated that they were not allowed to assist their wounded friends.
Van der Walt added that the men demanded the keys of a Volkswagen Polo, after which they ordered the men to lie down with their hands behind their backs and tied them up.
They instructed the women to do the same, and in the process an eight-year-old girl was dragged across the floor and tied up with her brother.
The robbers demanded the safe keys from Ms Rautenbach but she explained that they were kept by a security service. They then demanded the keys of a Toyota Hilux (FVG 863 MP), and the owner handed them over.
The men later returned for the gate remote, and one of the group accompanied them to open the gate. They fled in the Toyota bakkie.
According to the victims they were all clothed in jeans and takkies and wore dark hoodies. They spoke Shangaan and broken English. They took about 15 cellphones, an Ipad, tablet and laptop, the white Toyota Hi-lux bakkie and Basson’s firearm.
Van der Walt stated that the injured were transported to Mediclinic Nelspruit by Noodroep emergency services and Basson was currently in ICU. A docket was registered for the following charges: house robbery, attempted murder, theft of motor vehicle.
The community is requested to come forward with any information regarding this incident.
Const Sithole of Komatipoort Detective Services can be contacted on 082-449-0272 or information can also be given to Lt Col Ntiwane, the station commander of Komatipoort SAPS, on 082-373-8972.
