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Image: Meta AI
An 80-year-old Chatsworth man allegedly shot an armed intruder who threatened to shoot his 79-year-old wife after two men broke down their kitchen door on Wednesday morning.
The couple, both cancer survivors, have been pioneer residents of the area for over 50 years.
Rocky Naidoo, a community leader in Havenside, said the man was awakened at 3.10am when he heard his boarders, who rent two rooms on the property, screaming as the suspects attempted to break down the door.
“When the man’s wife went to the back of the house to check what was happening, the intruders threatened to shoot. The man got to his safe and took his firearm to defend himself and his wife," said Naidoo.
He said gunshots were exchanged.
"A bullet struck one of the intruders but he managed to escape. Police arrested a second suspect. He will appear in court next week,” Naidoo added.
He said the couple’s kitchen door was damaged, and the suspects had overturned the fridge.
“Both the elderly man and his wife are cancer survivors. The man is a hero. We salute his bravery. Through his actions, one suspect was caught. We believe these are the same suspects terrorising the Havenside community. The modus operandi is the same. They usually strike in the early hours of the morning."
Brandon Pillay, chairperson of the Bayview Community Policing Forum, said the suspect who was arrested was charged with house-breaking.
“We applaud the brave resident’s swift action, which led to the arrest of a suspect. He is a community hero. However, we caution residents and homeowners to consider their safety before reacting during these types of situations. We will continue to work with the police to eliminate crime in our community,” Pillay said.
The police had not commented at the time of publishing.