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A family in Hazyview was left deeply traumatised after three armed suspects stormed their home early on November 25, committing robbery and sexual assault before fleeing with the family’s vehicle.
The attack occurred around 2am when the suspects held the family at gunpoint, stealing two cellphones and a laptop. One of the suspects raped the woman while her husband was restrained. The suspects then demanded the keys to the family’s Toyota Quantum and drove off in it.
Later that day, police acted on a tip-off from a vehicle tracking company and intercepted the stolen vehicle at a filling station on the N12 freeway in Delmas. Members of the Middleburg Flying Squad arrested three suspects, aged between 30 and 43.
In their possession, police found three unlicensed firearms with serial numbers filed off, as well as 11 cellphones.
The suspects were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, suspected stolen property, and unlicensed firearms. Additional charges, including house robbery and rape, are pending further investigation.
The suspects appeared in the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on November 27.
Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi praised the swift police response and vowed justice for the victims. “We cannot allow community members to be attacked in their homes, the very place they should feel safest,” he said.