A Meyer Street family was held at gunpoint during a house robbery in the early hours of Sunday morning, in a frightening incident that lasted more than an hour.

The homeowner (who wants to stay anonymous) said they were awakened at about 02:35 when approximately six suspects broke down a door and entered the premises. Armed with handguns, a baboon spanner and a bolt cutter, they demanded valuables and assaulted a 22-year-old man, striking him over the head. He later received stitches but was not hospitalised. Other people in the home were also beaten.

The family, which included two very young children, was tied up with shoelaces, cables and other items found in the house, while the suspects searched the entire property. The homeowner said he avoided eye contact during the ordeal, looking down while tied up the entire time.

The suspects left at 04:00 with items they could carry.

According to the family, the group drove past the house again shortly after fleeing. They are believed to have escaped in a blue Volkswagen Polo (model unknown), while a white Volkswagen Polo Vivo was also reportedly involved.

The robbery follows an attack two weeks ago at 16 Protea Street in Middelburg, a house where homeless people are known to stay. During that incident, Steven Hart was confronted by seven armed men who arrived in two vehicles at about 19:00.

Hart reportedly fired two warning shots with a blank firearm and shouted that police had been called in an attempt to scare the intruders off. He was overpowered and severely assaulted, punched, kicked and beaten with steel bars while others were forced to sit against a wall.

Both Hart and the Meyer Street homeowner have urged residents to remain vigilant, ensure alarm systems are activated and panic buttons are working, and to report suspicious activity.

• Anyone with information that may assist the police is urged to contact local authorities or neighbourhood security groups.