A Ballito family were held at gunpoint as six men robbed them of cellphones, laptops and other valuables on Thursday afternoon.

According to Ballito Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Morné Steffens, the men drove up to the Zen Drive house through an open gate in broad daylight, just after 3pm.

“They just reversed up into the property, jumped out, armed, and demanded cell phones and laptops,” he said.

Steffens said CCTV footage had captured the men driving slowly in a white Toyota Vitz before they targeted the house.

The five family members inside the house included grandparents, their adult son and daughter, and a baby.

Although nobody was physically injured, Steffens said the experience had been extremely traumatic for the family.

He described the armed robbery as unusual for Ballito.

“I think in the 18 years that I’ve been here, I’ve been aware of about four armed robberies in the residential areas,” he said.

Police and private security companies are investigating the robbery. The car, carrying fake plates, was reportedly last seen in Durban.

Steffens said the incident should serve as a warning to residents who have become too comfortable with their surroundings.

He raised concerns about homeowners leaving gates open, failing to activate alarm systems and leaving doors open where people passing by can see inside their homes.

“Yes, we are very low in crime, but we’re not crime-free. And an incident like this could happen any time,” he said.