Heroic gran shot, wounded by robbers

A GRANDMOTHER was shot by robbers outside her home in Pietermaritzburg on Friday evening after she responded to a break-in at her neighbour’s home.

Vinothamoney Aiyer, 66, of Darjeeling Heights, heard a noise outside at 11.45pm and investigated.

A person, who declined to be named, said Aiyer confronted the robbers by shouting at them from her yard. They responded by shooting at her.

According to Aiyer’s son, Wayne, the details surrounding the incident remain sketchy.

“All I know is that the robbers fired three shots in my mother’s direction. Two bullets missed her but the third penetrated her abdomen on the left side and the bullet exited on the right side.”

He said his sister took their mother to the hospital.

“My mom remains in a critical condition and is on a life support machine.”

Wayne described his mom as a caring and warm person.

“We don’t know what she was thinking but she stepped outside when she heard the noise. That is her nature. She is always willing to help people on impulse.”

He said the robbers continued to break down the door of the neighbour’s home before fleeing with a television.

“It’s sad that the police have not arrested the suspects as they fled on foot.

“If the Dog Unit responded then we could have had results.

“Now those men are roaming the streets.”

Wayne said his siblings were battling to come to terms with the incident.

“The area is not known for robberies but this incident is one of the worst.

“We are grateful our mother was not killed and we are hoping she makes a full recovery.”

Police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane said a case of attempted murder was being investigated.

“On July 11, a woman was allegedly shot by three unknown armed men at her home at Darjeeling Road. She was taken to hospital.”

No arrests had been made at the time of going to print.

Anyone with information should call Captain Pipes Haffajee on 079 500 0264.