Neighbour closes door on wounded man
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2003 2:23 pm
April 23 2003 at 09:50AM
By Johan Schronen
A seriously injured and bleeding man, viciously stabbed by intruders who attacked him and his elderly mother in their Constantia home, stumbled to a neighbour for help but she refused to open up, fearing he was a would-be intruder posing as a neighbour in need.
Marion Price said her neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, and his mother had been attacked by five intruders armed with knives about 11pm on Easter Monday.
She said her neighbours had been gagged and held captive in a room while the gang ransacked the house searching for cash and credit cards.
A scuffle broke out before the gang fled and one of the men stabbed the neighbour. His three-year-old twins, who slept in another room throughout the ordeal, were not harmed.
"I was completely confused when the man rang my gate intercom buzzer intensely and begged for help saying he was my neighbour. I wanted to help but I did not recognise his voice and feared the worst if I opened up," said Price.
"I just could not take that chance and when I visited him in hospital yesterday he understood my dilemma.
"What made matters worse was when I looked over to his place the house was in total darkness as if the family was sleeping. I later learned that the gang had put the lights out."
She said she pressed her own panic alarm to alert her security company, who immediately sent an armed response unit and medical help.
"It is unfortunate that people are forced to live in highly secure fortresses these days, which also shields one from one's neighbour. My neighbour, who desperately needed help but stood outside my closed gate, was unfortunate - but it is a sign of the times."
The man is recovering in Constantiaberg Hospital and is in a stable condition.
The police are still hunting the intruders who fled in their victim's BMW
By Johan Schronen
A seriously injured and bleeding man, viciously stabbed by intruders who attacked him and his elderly mother in their Constantia home, stumbled to a neighbour for help but she refused to open up, fearing he was a would-be intruder posing as a neighbour in need.
Marion Price said her neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, and his mother had been attacked by five intruders armed with knives about 11pm on Easter Monday.
She said her neighbours had been gagged and held captive in a room while the gang ransacked the house searching for cash and credit cards.
A scuffle broke out before the gang fled and one of the men stabbed the neighbour. His three-year-old twins, who slept in another room throughout the ordeal, were not harmed.
"I was completely confused when the man rang my gate intercom buzzer intensely and begged for help saying he was my neighbour. I wanted to help but I did not recognise his voice and feared the worst if I opened up," said Price.
"I just could not take that chance and when I visited him in hospital yesterday he understood my dilemma.
"What made matters worse was when I looked over to his place the house was in total darkness as if the family was sleeping. I later learned that the gang had put the lights out."
She said she pressed her own panic alarm to alert her security company, who immediately sent an armed response unit and medical help.
"It is unfortunate that people are forced to live in highly secure fortresses these days, which also shields one from one's neighbour. My neighbour, who desperately needed help but stood outside my closed gate, was unfortunate - but it is a sign of the times."
The man is recovering in Constantiaberg Hospital and is in a stable condition.
The police are still hunting the intruders who fled in their victim's BMW
