BURNSIDE – The police are currently on the lookout for four male suspects who had allegedly robbed a couple in their mid-60s on Thursday.
At about 18:45, unaware of what was about to happen, the man sat in the living room watching TV, while his wife was doing needlework in another room. The armed men, who had gained access through the window of the main bedroom, had walked right passed her and gone directly to the lounge where they surrounded him. They forced him to the ground where they tied him up with television cables. In the meanwhile, his brave wife heard the scuffle and immediately pressed the panic button. The suspects had been made aware of her presence and instantly attacked her, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her to the lounge where she was also tied up.
Helpless the couple lay on the ground while taking blows from the boots of the suspects. Bewildered, the four wrongdoers ransacked the house, apparently looking for cash and firearms – the panic button had luckily spooked them.
The SAPS, J&M Security, Bossies Community Justice, Hi-Tech Security Nelspruit and Mpumalanga Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were quick to arrive on the scene. The robbery was cut short and they managed to flee with a laptop, TV, cellphones and an undisclosed amount of cash. They managed to avoid arrest.
According to Capt Pieter Smit, commanding officer of the SAPS Flying Squad, the man managed to phone one of his employees to come and cut them loose.
Investigation is currently ongoing.
