A six-year-old boy and his parents are recovering in hospital after they were shot during a brazen armed robbery at their home in Buffelsdraai on Monday evening.
According to information from Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the family became the target of what appears to have been a carefully planned attack by two armed and masked suspects.
Witnesses alleged that the gunmen entered the property before the homeowners arrived and held several occupants hostage at gunpoint while waiting for the family to return. During the ordeal, the suspects reportedly demanded money and valuables, claiming that the homeowners were living a luxurious lifestyle and had access to substantial amounts of cash.
The robbers allegedly remained in constant communication with an unidentified accomplice via cellphone, receiving updates about the family’s whereabouts.
When information was received that the family had arrived home, the hostages were allegedly locked inside a room and robbed of their cellphones. The gunmen then confronted the family outside the residence.
According to witnesses, gunfire erupted when the couple allegedly attempted to escape.
The 46-year-old father was shot in the stomach, while his 41-year-old wife sustained gunshot wounds to her leg and hand. Their six-year-old son was also struck by a bullet and suffered a gunshot wound.
The injured family was rushed to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Several spent cartridges were recovered at the scene, while the suspects fled before emergency responders arrived.
The shocking attack has raised concerns that the robbers may have had prior knowledge of the family’s movements and financial circumstances, although this has not yet been confirmed by investigators.
Police investigations are ongoing.
