Four women were held at gunpoint for approximately one hour by three suspects during an armed robbery at a residence in the Zambia area of Amaoti, KwaZulu-Natal, shortly after midnight.
How the incident unfolded
According to the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the complainant stated that she was inside the house drinking with three other women when the suspects arrived and demanded that they open the door. When the occupants refused, the suspects allegedly attempted to force their way in. One of the men was armed with a firearm.
The suspects reportedly fired two shots before forcing entry. Once inside, they introduced themselves as employees of a vehicle tracking company and demanded the keys to a white Volkswagen Polo parked in the yard.
Demand for the vehicle
The occupants informed the suspects that the vehicle had allegedly been stolen in December and that its owner wanted it back. The woman in possession of the car explained that she did not have the keys, as her boyfriend had taken them to a farm.
The suspects ordered the women to search for a spare key and held them against their will for about an hour while they searched unsuccessfully.
Failed attempt to steal the car
The suspects then tried to steal the Polo without the keys. After using a brick to smash one of the windows, they abandoned the attempt.
Assault and items stolen
One of the occupants reported that she was assaulted during the ordeal. The suspects fled with two smartphones and a pair of takkies.
Scene findings and response
RUSA confirmed that received the callout at 00:02. No spent cartridges were recovered at the scene, and no visible damage consistent with gunfire was found inside the house. The circumstances surrounding the reported shots, including the possibility that a blank-firing firearm was used, could not be confirmed.
Case registered
The victims later registered a criminal case at Amaoti SAPS.