An 83-year-old resident of Annie Burger Retirement Village in Crown Gardens has spoken emotionally about the traumatic night he was allegedly drugged and robbed inside his home.

This has left residents fearful for their safety and calling for urgent intervention at the retirement village.

The elderly man said he was approached by a woman he knew, and by many residents of the village, who often visited asking for food or assistance. According to the resident, the woman allegedly drugged him at around 20:00 on the evening of April 28, before stealing money, clothing and his cellphone from his home.

The pensioner, who suffers from a heart condition, only regained consciousness at around 07:00 the following morning.

After waking up weak and disoriented, the man reportedly crawled to a neighbour’s house to seek help. He was allegedly left unconscious in his bed with his doors wide open, raising concerns that he could have been harmed further or targeted by other criminals during the night.

Too afraid to speak out

His son said the incident has left the family deeply shaken and fearful that the next victim may not survive.

He said his father had been dragged to his bed and left there while heavily drugged, with no concern for whether he would wake up again. The son added that residents are living in fear and many are too afraid to speak out because they believe little action is being taken against those responsible.

He also thanked Ndhlovu Security Services for their quick response in helping recover some of his father’s belongings and for ensuring his father’s safety after the incident.

Furthermore, a case has been opened at Booysens SAPS and is currently being investigated.

Although the elderly resident is currently recovering physically from the ordeal, the incident has left him deeply traumatised and emotionally shaken.

The senior resident hopes those responsible will be identified and held accountable, as he wants justice not only for himself but also for the many elderly residents who continue to live in fear at Annie Burger Retirement Village.

Residents raise alarm over security and illegal occupants

Residents at the retirement village said the alleged robbery is part of a growing problem involving criminals and drug users entering the property freely.

Several residents claimed that unknown people are regularly allowed into the complex and that some occupants are allegedly harbouring criminals and drug users inside the retirement village. Residents further alleged that elderly people have been threatened during robberies and intimidation incidents.

Residents said concerns have repeatedly been raised about security failures at the property. According to residents, security guards are allegedly not consistently enforcing the retirement village’s rules, including keeping gates closed and ensuring all visitors sign the visitors register before entering.

Residents also pointed to City regulations, which state that unauthorised persons, including children and grandchildren, are not permitted to stay overnight at retirement villages. However, residents allege that some seniors are living with family members whose associates are allegedly linked to criminal activity inside the complex.

Elderly residents living in fear

While residents acknowledged that seniors also have a responsibility not to allow unknown people into their homes, many said criminals often prey on the vulnerability, loneliness and kindness of elderly residents.

The incident has intensified fears among pensioners at the retirement village, with many saying they no longer feel safe in their own homes.

Residents are now pleading for urgent intervention before the situation worsens further.

“This is a plea for help,” one resident said. “Someone could lose their life.”

Ward councillors, Stuart Marais and Rashieda Landis, have also visited the retirement village.

The councillors have engaged with elderly residents and management at the retirement village and are working with relevant stakeholders to take the necessary steps to improve safety and assist those affected.

Residents said they hope the intervention will lead to stronger security measures and urgent action to restore peace of mind at the complex.

The Southern Courier reached out to the City of Johannesburg, the custodians of the retirement village, for comment, but no response had been received at the time of publication.

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