A family was left traumatised after being ambushed outside their Aviary Hill home early hours on Saturday morning, September 27.

One of the victims, who spoke to the Advertiser on condition of anonymity, said the attack happened at around 04.30am as they prepared to leave for Durban, where her daughter was due to take part in a public speaking competition.

“We were getting ready to leave and excited for my daughter’s competition. Nothing could have prepared us for what happened in that moment,” she said.

While packing the car, the resident noticed someone’s forehead behind the perimeter wall.

The resident said she asked her mother if there were any black bags outside, as people often rummage through the rubbish, but her mother confirmed there were none.

“Shortly afterwards, an unknown man walked past our gate down the street. We checked again, but my mother said she saw the man walking away and believed it was safe to leave,” she said.

They had no way of knowing that another suspect was waiting nearby.

“Just as we were reversing out of the property, one of the men yanked open my car door and tried to stab me. I fought back, kicked the object out of his hand, but he pulled me out of the car while my children and mother were still inside,” she said.

“All five of us screamed for help. The car rolled backwards, forcing me to lie down in the road, before crashing into a wall. It was terrifying, but all I could think about was protecting my young children.”

The family managed to activate their panic button, prompting a rapid response from Magenta Security Services.

“They helped us and even recovered my phone, which the attackers had taken and hidden under nearby leaves,” she said.

The ordeal has left the family deeply traumatised.

“My children are only five, seven, and ten years old. They cry easily, are afraid to be outside, and loud noises make them panic. I myself am still shaken, but I try to be strong for them. We have started counselling as the fear and anxiety are affecting our daily lives,” she added.

The victim expressed gratitude to family, friends and neighbours for their support.

“Some family friends rushed to fetch the children straight after the attack to ease our minds. Others sent food, while the neighbour whose wall we crashed into has shown great kindness,” she said.

Her advice to others is to stay vigilant.

“Always be alert, even outside your own home. Make use of panic buttons and security services. And most importantly, speak up — do not stay silent when these things happen. If you see someone suspicious, don’t be naïve like I was. Call security first before opening your gate,” she urged.

The incident was reported to Newcastle SAPS, and a case registered. However, the victim said there has been little follow-up since.

“The community has shown support, but the truth is we do not feel safe,” she said.

She believes more visible policing and improved security are urgently needed.

“We need more patrols, quicker response times and more effective policing. Criminals act without fear, leaving families like mine extremely vulnerable. These are not just cases — these are people’s lives, children’s lives, being torn apart. We need action, not just paperwork.”

You might also like:

• BREAKING: Man found murdered in Schuinshoogte workshop
• UPDATE: Police hunt suspects in Schuinshoogte murder
• Court sentences man to 20 years for rape

The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel