IN an ironic twist of fate, a member of the Rotary Club of uMhlanga, Clive Raaff (74), found himself helpless at the hands of a gang of intruders as they assaulted and robbed him in his home on Sunday afternoon.

The pensioner was lucky to escape the home invasion on Addision Close with minor injuries after the masked gang burst into his home and held him at gunpoint. Fortunately Graaff’s wife, Veronica, was not at home at the time of the incident.

Blue Security operations manager, Brian Jackson, said the resident had opened his front door and walked into the kitchen when the four armed men suddenly burst in and held him up, demanding cash and safe keys. The incident occurred at approximately 4pm.

“The robbers assaulted the resident, hitting him on his head and kicking him when he refused to give in to their demands. The robbers then ransacked the property in search of valuables,” he said.

Raaff reportedly pretended to be unconscious after he was struck on the head. In fear of the assault on him being renewed, the resident was forced to listen to the thieves rummaging through his possessions and unplugging appliances.

Jackson said the robbers locked Raaff in the main bedroom and fled the scene with keys, wallets, cell phones, televisions, a camera, computer and jewellery.

Investigation of the scene revealed that the suspects gained entry into the victim’s property by derailing the front gate.

“Netcare 911 paramedics treated the resident at the scene,” he said. The incident was reported to the Durban North SAPS, who attended to investigate.

Last week Graaff and his wife joined fellow Rotarian, Clive Hull, in a project aimed at cleaning the litter strewn around the La Lucia Library. The trio was inspired by former columnist, Max Du Preez’s article following his resignation earlier this month.

On Thursday, 16 January an elderly couple was assaulted by a cold-blooded intruder on Allamanda Road in Glen Anil. The husband later died due to the severity of his injuries.