Armed robbery – medical practitioner pleads for his life

A local medical specialist had a close call with eight armed robbers who allegedly pretended to be Police officers and hijacked him on Friday evening.
The doctor who wished to remain anonymous said he had to plead for his life as one of the robbers continuously hit him on the forehead with the barrel of a pistol. Several bruises, evidence of the violent attack which could have claimed his life, were still visible on his face at the time of the interview.
“Every night I arrive home at around 21:15 but on Friday evening I approached my home at around 20:40, when I noticed two vehicles parked close to my gate. The doors of one of the vehicles were opened and I could see a blue Police light flashing. I would normally open the gate with the remote control in the process of approaching home, but decided not to when I noticed the vehicles. The people standing at the vehicles wore reflector clothing and I had no doubt that it might be Police officers,” he said.
He then related how he had stopped his vehicle and asked what the problem was when the eight men attacked. In his attempt to get away the vehicle’s engine cut out. He attempted to close the window while attempting to restart the engine but the attackers’ hands were already inside the cabin. One broke the passenger window and unlocked the doors. The victim was overpowered and continuously beaten with fists and eventually pushed onto the back seat.
The attackers demanded money while insisting that he open the gate.
“Three of them got into the car with me and when I told them I don’t have a remote to the gate they sped off towards the Tzaneen bypass while the others followed in the two vehicles. They continued to beat me asking where the remote control was. They made it clear that they knew who I was and that I have money. One of them repeatedly commanded the other one to beat me and to hit my teeth out. I thought I was going to die. I had to convince them that I was a good man and that they should spare my life. They turned off onto a gravel road and stopped after I indicated that I had some cash in my suitcase in the boot as well as some in the cubbyhole. In total it was about R15 000,” he said.
After taking the money and his cell phone the assailants tied him up and fled the scene with the vehicle’s keys.
“I then started walking and met with a drunken passerby who lent me his phone to call for help. The Nirvana Community Policing Forum as well as the Police were quickly on the scene,” he said.
According to him the attackers were well informed and they had one objective and that is to get into his house. “It could have been worse because my wife and daughters were at home. They knew what they were looking for and their behaviour reminded of that of professional criminals,” he said.
Westenburg Police Spokesperson Naphuri Segobola could not be reached to confirm the case.

Story: RC Myburgh
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