Grandkids forced to help robbers

HANDS and feet bound, an elderly Clare Estate couple watched helplessly as robbers ransacked their home and used their young grandchildren to help them find valuables.

The Friday afternoon ordeal, which lasted an hour, was the fourth time the couple had been accosted by robbers.

Traumatised, they declined to comment.

Vincent Chetty of the Clare Estate Action Committee, and his team, were the first at the scene.

“The elderly man was in his backyard when two men scaled his fence. They held him at gunpoint and brought him into the house,” he told POST. “His wife came to his aid and the men grabbed her as well. They tied their hands and feet and made them sit in a bedroom.”

Chetty said the suspects threatened to shoot the couple in front of their grandchildren if they failed to co-operate.

“The robbers demanded to know where all the valuables were and took the children through the house in search of these items. For one hour they ransacked the house taking branded clothing, cash, jewellery, a god lamp and other items.”

He said when the men left the woman freed her legs and went for help.

“Her son returned home from work and contacted us for help. We called the police. The god lamp and a statue were recovered but the suspects are still at large.”

Chetty said crime in Clare Estate was an ongoing problem: “Although we have brought it to the attention of the relevant authorities we have received no feedback. Cable theft is also on the rise and we have an influx of informal settlements.”

Following the robbery, residents said they were even more concerned about their safety.

“On Monday the deputy mayor went to Westville to address crime but we have been going through it for so many years and no one has come to our aid,” said Chetty. “Why are we treated differently?”

He said because of the cable theft, families were left in darkness most nights and this was when criminals usually struck.

Another resident described Clare Estate as a once sought-after area. “It was safe and secure but now we are living in fear. We cannot even move home because no one wants to buy here any more.”

She said they were a forgotten community. “We have illegal cables running through our streets, an influx of informal settlements, but nothing seems to be done.”

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said a case of house robbery was being investigated by the Sydenham SAPS.