Syndicate linked to violent home invasions

A SYNDICATE is believed to be behind a string of violent house robberies in Havenside in Chatsworth, with the latest victims being elderly siblings.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL [e-mail]

A 65-year-old man and his 70-year-old sister, of Zintex Street, heard noises at their home on Sunday morning. When the man went to the kitchen, he was confronted by a gunman.

The gunman and two accomplices had forced open the security gate, and removed a glass panel from the alumi-num door before unlocking it. He then struck the elderly man on the head with the firearm and shot him. The bullet grazed his head. The elderly man remains in the ICU.

A neighbour, who responded to his calls for help, said despite his injuries the man activated the panic alarm.

“Unfortunately, this did not deter the intruders,” said the neighbour.

He said the elderly man contacted him at around 1.30am on Sunday.

“T found him bleeding from the head. There was no response from the security company he had contacted. However, my neighbour also activated his panic button and Mazansi Security responded promptly.”