A 79-year-old Pietermaritzburg grandmother has described the terrifying moments she begged three armed intruders not to harm her after they allegedly forced their way into her Northdale home, tied her up and assaulted her before stealing treasured family jewellery.
Premila Sewmungal was alone at her home shortly before 11 am on Friday when the suspects allegedly entered through the front door while she was in the bathroom.
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When she stepped out, the men were waiting for her.
“I came out of the bathroom, and the three men were already in my face. They told me not to scream and tied me up in my room with my gown belt,” Sewmungal told The Witness.
“One of them sat on top of me, held my face and hit me. I even lost a tooth. They pulled off the rings I was wearing and my necklace, then they found my wedding jewellery and took all of it.”
The elderly woman suffered swollen lips, bruised hands and lost teeth during the attack, requiring medical treatment afterwards.
She said the robbers even removed her hearing aid before fleeing.
“I asked them for some water. I was so scared because I am a heart patient. At one point, I just lay still. They covered me with blankets before they ran away,” she said.
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With her hands, feet and face tied, Sewmungal said she struggled to free herself after the suspects left.
“They also took my phone, so I couldn’t call my family. I managed to get free and ran to my neighbour, who helped contact them.”
Her daughter, Sundira Sadave, said the family was devastated by the attack.
“My mother has a heart condition and needed medical treatment afterwards. She is very shaken and will need time to recover. Our parents are elderly and precious, and they should not be attacked in their own homes,” she said.
Community member Rajesh Ramnunan condemned the attack, saying it highlighted the vulnerability of elderly residents despite existing security measures.
“A yard secured with barbed-wire fencing, a vicious dog and a security guard who patrols the road were still not enough to stop criminals from entering and brutally assaulting a 79-year-old grandmother,” he said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and to establish neighbourhood WhatsApp groups to share crime-related information.
“These criminals are constantly watching our every move. People should also be cautious about allowing strangers onto their properties, as they may be scouting homes before committing crimes,” Ramnunan said.
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Sadave thanked community members and security companies, including AET, Mi7 and ADT, for responding to the incident and assisting the family.
The robbery was reported to Mountain Rise police, where a case has been opened. Police are investigating.