Lorraine Viljoen was overpowered by two men armed with a firearm and screwdrivers at around 19:30 on Tuesday at her home in a small housing complex in Meerhof. They repeatedly threatened to kill her and dragged her from room to room before finally leaving at 22:00.
“I had friends over and we were sitting outside. I received a phone call and, while I was on the phone, they said goodbye and I walked to the bathroom. I had just finished in the bathroom when the two men appeared. I screamed. Threatening me with the weapons, they told me I had better shut up or I would be killed,” a traumatised Viljoen said.
The robbers forced her into the kitchen and demanded money and jewellery.
“I gave them what I had and showed them there was no money in my bank account. Then they asked for firearms and my car. My car was not there at the time. ”
“They took me from room to room while they stole items. This lasted a long time. If I spoke, I was told I was going to be shot. I was threatened with death throughout. I pleaded with them to take what they wanted and not hurt me. They received telephone calls and I could hear them telling the people on the other end what they had looted,” she said.
The robbers also asked her about her neighbour.
“Luckily, she was not at home. One of the robbers moved to the neighbour’s flat and I could hear him breaking down the door. Her flat was also ransacked. After they seemed to have finished, they still stayed in my flat. When I asked why they were not leaving, I was told that they were waiting for the getaway car.”
Viljoen was forced to unlock the gate of the complex, as the robbers could not get the stolen goods through the hole in the fence where they had gained entry. They ordered her to lock her door after they left.
“I was in such shock. I just sat there for quite a while before I could leave to get help. I thank God that I was not assaulted and injured.”
Hartbeespoort police were called to the scene and are investigating the case.
