Family grateful to survive attack by ‘professionals’

A family have said they are lucky to be alive and unharmed after they were ambushed at their home during a family braai on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Jason Field, who was not there during the attack, but freed the family from the bathrooms afterwards, said while everyone was shaken by the robbery, they were extremely grateful to have survived the incident without any injuries.

“It was around 17:15 on Saturday and my father-in-law had just finished fishing and was driving back to the property,” said Field.

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“As he was reaching the premises, three armed men jumped out of nearby bush, got him out of the vehicle, assaulted him with a pistol and tied him up.”

He said the men made their way to the house with his father-in-law tied up and forced him inside.

“The robbers were apparently very calm and said they were there for guns, money and Kruger rands. I am not sure what kind of family they thought we were, because we definitely do not keep large amounts of cash in the safes and we don’t have Kruger rands.

“They forced my father-in-law to the safe where they found a small amount of money, a shotgun and a pistol, which they took.”

Field said the men were in the house for 45 minutes. They tied the family of 13 up and locked them in the bathrooms.

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He said the men told the family repeatedly that they were not there to harm anyone, but that if the family screamed, one of the robbers would remain behind to ensure everyone’s silence.

“It definitely seemed like these men had done this before. They told the family they would be taking the vehicle as their getaway car, but that they had not come to steal the vehicle and they would dump it somewhere for the family to find later.

“They also took everyone’s phones, but said they didn’t want to steal them, they just didn’t want anyone to make calls. They hid the seven cell phones in the couch cushions where we later found them.

“I think it was 15 minutes after the robbers had left that I arrived at the property. I heard shouting and I got into the house and broke down the bathroom doors to let everyone out. I immediately called Hi-Tech.

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They were just excellent and were able to chase the car down and recover it.”

Field said the family surviving the robbery without injury was “an absolute miracle”.

“The men were armed. Usually people are killed or injured in farm attacks. Stuff is replaceable, but your life is not. Everyone needs to really focus on security and trying to be observant. This was definitely the best ending to this sort of scenario. It could have been so much worse.”

Fields added that besides Hi-Tech’s quick response and recovery of the vehicle, people in the community had been “just amazing”.

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“People have been offering rooms in their homes to us and the other relatives, and have just been very kind and helpful following this attack. The community has really come together for us.”

Field’s wife, Taryn Field, posted on Facebook about the attack, recounting how the family had been ambushed and held hostage by the three attackers.

“What a terrifying experience. So many things rush through your mind. We prayed aloud. The Lord covered us,” said the post.

“It is by His grace no one was seriously injured. Today I write this with a grateful heart. Thank you, Lord, for your protection. The power of prayer saved my family. Go hug your loved ones and tell them you love them. Thank you to all the friends who have offered help… My heart aches for this beautiful country South Africa.”

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The post garnered well over 200 comments with friends and family countrywide expressing their sadness over the incident.

Taryn said her parents, her two aunts, uncle, sister and children were all present when the attack occurred.

Speaking to Lowvelder following the incident, Hi-Tech operations manager, Callum mac Pherson said having a special-services unit deployed in the area and the tracking unit installed in the family’s vehicle had been “critical to the successful recovery of the car”.

“The best case for us would have been if we had caught the three armed men, but it is fortunate no one was hurt.”

Mac Pherson said that according to trends and the current economic climate, he predicts Mbombela will be seeing an escalation of these types of robberies and attacks.

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He pleaded with the public to start looking into safety measures to ensure their families and properties are kept safe.

“Unfortunately, the suspects in this case checked the family for panic buttons and we have found that suspects have become sensitised to alarm systems.

“It is suggested that people keep a spare phone and SIM card hidden in a spare room or bathroom as well as a hidden panic button somewhere in their home. Unfortunately we cannot predict where people will be locked in when suspects rob houses. We have found that bathrooms are a favourite, but it can also be a spare bedroom.”

Mac Pherson added that according to statistics, 80 per cent of house break-ins they attended, people either did not have an alarm system or their alarms were not switched on.

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“The trend also proves that robberies usually occur between 17:00 and 22:00 when people are leaving and coming back to their safe zones (their homes) and their guard is down. This is usually the period where people are most vulnerable.”

According to information gathered by Mac Pherson for Hi-Tech, armed suspects will exploit weakness and use the element of surprise to overpower victims.

He said these robberies can either see suspects scouting for random chance or it could be a pre-planned almost military operation.

“Prepare for the worst and pray for the best.”

Safe zones

Zone 1: Perimeter – Establish a perimeter that is as safe as possible. The ultimate in perimeter protection is having a detectable and monitored early-warning system.

Zone 2: The space between your home and perimeter – External beams, well-looked after dogs and CCTV are excellent ways of creating a zone 2 protective layer.

Zone 3: Your home – Sturdy safety gates and proper burglar proofing provide additional protection.

Zone 4: Inside your home – Alarm systems for early warning and as a method of calling for assistance is a start, but having a barrier between your living and sleeping area is ideal.

Zone 5: Your attitude towards security – Any of the above will not be of any use if you do not maintain and use them properly. Our defence against any threat will always be our mindset.

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Mindset: Always have your remote panic button with you. If you are competent with a self-defence firearm, do not keep it locked away, as suspects will not announce they are coming. Be ready to defend yourself. Always keep unused firearms locked away in regulated safe.

Take the time to view your home from outside your perimeter and note what you would do should you have wanted to rob the home.

Bear in mind that you must not only take your capabilities and limitations into account but that of an unknown criminal whose capabilities could be extensive.

Also remember that criminals will not hesitate to damage barriers to gain access – detectable early warning is key.

Early-warning perimeter detection has become a valuable solution to multiple businesses and homes and a predicted trend is that as this technology becomes more readily available it will change the way the security industry operates.

Contact callum@hitechnst.co.za for more information.

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