A house owner, David Strachan, and his tenant, Tamara Lea Smit, were left traumatised after a violent house robbery in Sundowner.

The terrifying ordeal unfolded when armed criminals forced their way onto the property, leaving both victims fearing for their lives. According to both Strachan and Smit, the four suspects were armed with a panga and a firearm.

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Strachan felt that they were targeting the cottage as he only saw them when he went out. They then confronted him outside before dragging him into the house, where they demanded valuables and access to his safe. The criminals managed to steal a licensed firearm together with ammunition that had been secured inside the safe. “I was inside.

I just finished having lunch. I heard some noises and came outside. I saw two guys walking out, and they just came for me and dragged me back inside the house. They threw me on the floor and asked for the safe.”

He said that he took them to the safe and they ripped it open and took the firearm inside. “They also took two watches from my bedside drawer, and they locked me inside the bedroom.”

For Smit, it was a different story, as the suspects attacked her in her bedroom. She said that they took her phone and they demanded jewellery and ordered her to cover her head before leaving with laptops, jewellery, clothing, and other personal belongings.

“They stole everything from me, and they left me with nothing. They even took the meat that was in my freezer. I got spared my life, which is what I am grateful for.” She added that she has been a victim of crime before and this has opened up those wounds.

Also read: Man arrested for reporting false robbery

Although neither victim sustained serious physical injuries, both were left deeply shaken by the traumatic experience.

A case was opened at the Honeydew Police Station. Smit urged residents who have been victims of crimes to reach out to South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) for free trauma counselling.

Randburg Sun reached out to Honeydew Police Station for comment. More details about the case will be published once made available.

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