Father Tied Up and Held at Gunpoint in Front of Toddler
Rustenburg – A father’s primary duty is to protect his family, especially his children. But all sense of security was shattered for a young father on Friday morning, 15 November 2024, in broad daylight, when armed intruders invaded his home on a smallholding.
It was just before 09:30 when two men, armed and wearing balaclavas and gloves, used a crowbar to force open the security gate of the kitchen door and stormed into the house. According to an eyewitness, one of the intruders was tall and thin with a light complexion, while the other was short and dark-skinned. The father and the nanny immediately raised their hands, surrendering to the masked men. It is hoped that the toddler did not fully comprehend the nightmare unfolding around him.
The father was struck once with the crowbar and then repeatedly tapped on the head with a gun as the robbers voiced their demands, spitting out threats each time they didn’t get the response they wanted. With every threat, his thoughts were consumed with fear for the safety of his son. He cooperated fully, handing over the information they sought, praying that his compliance would keep his child safe.
With guns in hand, the robbers tied up the father and the nanny before ransacking the house. They took anything of value they could carry to the back door. Among the stolen items were an orange GRIP 6.5KVA generator, a small blue generator, two televisions, two laptops, a black high-performance Intel Core Ultra PC and screen, a microwave, an Xbox, two rings (one gold with an amethyst (light blue) setting, the other gold with a topaz (purple) setting), a coin collection, a soundbar, a vacuum cleaner, tools such as a drill and battery-operated screwdriver, two cellphones belonging to the father and nanny, keys to their Jetta, a gas gun, and even the kettle. They packed some of the loot into the family’s hard-shell suitcases using sheets and scatter cushions.
However, it wasn’t the material loss that left this family shattered – it was the emotional trauma. After binding the father and nanny, the nanny, desperate to comfort the toddler, asked that they fetch Flings (crisps) from the cupboard for him to eat. One of the robbers handed the child a two-litre bottle of cow’s milk from the fridge, which the little one couldn’t drink, along with a large packet of Flings (crisps). In a heartbreaking moment of innocence amid the chaos, the toddler began feeding his father some of the crisps.
The father, recounting the moment in an interview with Platinum Weekly, said: “I prayed like I’ve never prayed before. When they took my baby and the nanny to another room, I thought the worst. I kept praying for my child’s safety.”
Once they had gathered most of the loot, one of the robbers took the remote for the security gate and left. The other stayed behind to watch the nanny. A few minutes later, he returned with another intruder, described by an eyewitness as arriving in a grey-blue “what looked like” a Ford Bantam bakkie. The nanny described the third intruder as having a large belly. All three robbers threatened the nanny before leaving the house, saying, “We know where you live.”
One of them even loaded his gun in front of the nanny, trying to instil further fear. While the robbers whispered to each other, the nanny overheard one speaking Zulu and the other with a Zimbabwean accent. “He tried to hide the fact that he is Zimbabwean, pretending not to understand English,” she said.
The experience has shaken this family to their core. Gone are the carefree days when they were both at university, with the father working in a restaurant after classes to save enough money to buy his fiancée an engagement ring. This young couple understands the value of hard work and dedication, but the father, knowing that he escaped the ordeal with his life does little to restore his sense of security.
As the festive season approaches, this terrifying incident serves as a stark reminder that no one is truly safe. Even in broad daylight, behind security gates and locked doors, criminals can strike. This family’s property was fenced, their doors locked – yet they still fell victim to these predators. It is evident that the robbery was well planned in advance.
Most criminals show no hesitation in resorting to firearms and violence, displaying a complete disregard for the harm they inflict on others. Driven by greed, they show no concern for justice or the well-being of those affected. Ironically, the effort and ingenuity they invest in criminal activities could have been channelled into building successful, meaningful lives. Ultimately, their actions reflect the choices they make.
This incident serves as a warning to all of us. In a world where violent crimes can happen without warning, we must remain vigilant. Our security, awareness, and preparedness must be sharper than ever before.
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the responding security officers, the first SAPS responders, as well as the other police officials and the forensic team who came to our home. I’m also deeply grateful to those behind the scenes who provided eye-witness testimony and information to SAPS, and the BSO Tactical Team for their vital role in assisting with the investigation. A special thank you to the investigating officer for all the hard work and dedication he’s putting into this case,” said the father.
As the criminals drove away, covering their stolen goods with a green shade net, they left behind more than just physical damage. They left a family forever changed.
At the time of going to print, the victims were informed that two arrests were made and that a court appearance is imminent.
If you have any information that could help bring these criminals to justice, please contact Constable Wettes at 082 772 5563, or alternatively, WhatsApp 079 057 5169.
