April 1 was not a day for joking when Sibongile Ntombela was viciously stabbed by a 14-year-old who broke into her Sithembile home.
Ms Ntombela, who owns several spaza shops in the township, was alone at home after entertaining visitors who left around 9pm. She watched television before bathing and then going to bed at about 11.45pm.
“Not even five minutes had passed when I heard a noise from outside. I went to check but did not see anything unusual and I just assumed maybe it was a dog bumping the bin.” She then headed back to bed but after a short while heard another sound.
“This time I thought it was rats. Later, I heard another sound and this time I got up to check the garage from where I run my shop.” When she opened the door of the garage, she saw a hand coming through the burglar bars.
“I screamed, ran back to my room and grabbed a hockey stick. I hit the burglar and inflicted a wound on his body. The blood spilled on the floor causing me to slip and fall down.”
By this time, the teen burglar had made his way through the window. He produced a knife and stabbed Ms Ntombela five times.
Leaving her on the floor, the burglar went into her bedroom.
Determined not to let him get away, Ms Ntombela followed him and dragged him back.
By this time a neighbour had heard her screams and rushed over to help. Another friend had called the police and she was taken to hospital.
The juvenile was also apprehended and R850 found in his pockets. The boy alleged that he had friends waiting outside but they probably fled when the neighbours came to Ms Ntombela’s aid.