Ballito woman recalls attack by robbers

A Ballito woman and a domestic worker were tied up and locked in separate bathrooms while the house was ransacked by robbers on September 17.

Charmaine Burger was dropping off her dog at a friend’s home in Zen Drive.

“I let myself in and was looking for her domestic worker when I realised everything was not ok.”

Before she could call for help the robbers were upon them.

Armed with a steak knife and screwdrivers the men treated both women roughly, demanding valuables.

“The leader grabbed me by my arm and pulled my hair, slapped me in the face and demanded my cellphone. He did not believe me when I told him that this was not my home.”

Burger was terrified the men would rape her.

“I had a screwdriver in my face the whole time. I cannot get it out of my mind,” said Burger, still visibly shaken by the ordeal.

Burger was tied up and gagged before being locked in a bathroom.

“I could hear them trying to start my car outside. I was so scared they would not be able to and then force me to drive it for them. My heart was pounding and I was praying the whole time.”

But the men were disturbed by the return of the home owner.

“They jumped the wall and disappeared. The house had razor wire but they used something to flatten it.”

The wall lead to the busy area of the KwaDukuza Fire department and BP garage where the men were able to blend into the crowd and get away.

Burger said when the Chubb security guard opened the bathroom door, at first she assumed that the robbers had returned.

“I was in quite a state but he was very kind.”

Burger urged homeowners to be vigilant about security. She was especially concerned that domestic workers be trained to protect themselves.

“Panic buttons are essential and our maids are the most vulnerable as they are home alone most of the time.”

She said razor wire could give you a false sense of security and she had been surprised by how quickly the robbers had overcome that security feature.

“I would not wish this experience on anyone.”