Chatsworth residents are still coming to terms with the murder of a resident during a house robbery in Silverglen on Thursday.

According to Bayview SAPS,the family were asleep when they heard the bedroom door open. They were awakened by two men wearing masks and brandishing hand guns.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning. He said the suspects reportedly assaulted and robbed the two people in the house of their cellphones, jewellery, and other electronic appliances.

“It is alleged that the victims were moved to a separate room where they were shot. The 42-year-old succumbed to his injuries on the scene while the 58-year-old victim was taken to hospital,” Netshiunda said.

Claude Subramodey, the spokesperson for Amawele Emergency Services, said the grandfather, aged 63, was shot in the abdomen while his 18-year-old grandson sustained injuries to his head when he was hit with a gun.

According to sources, two armed men gained entry into the home by breaking the padlock on the gate, and removing the glass from the aluminium door.

“The grandfather lost a lot of blood and was rushed to hospital. We also treated his wife and two grandchildren, aged five and seven, for shock,” said Subramodey.

Silverglen Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson, Vish Mudaly, said judging from the WhatsApp groups in Silverglen, the residents were hit hard emotionally by what had transpired.

Mudaly said residents were sombre and “broken“.

According to Mudaly, a the neighbour heard screams and alerted the CPF, who then corresponded with private security companies and the SAPS.

“This is a tragic incident, and losing a resident is deeply concerning,” he said.

Mudaly said he was confident that the police will make a breakthrough in the case. He said the area had petty crime and was also an escape route used by criminals because of its proximity to the nature reserve and access roads to uMlazi.

“Due to the strong presence of private security and the Bayview SAPS in the area, we did not have serious crime such as this for some time. Residents might have become complacent. This is a wake up call. We expect a large turnout at a crime meeting this week,” Mudaly said.

Bayview SAPS are investigating cases of house robbery, murder, and attempted murder. At the time of reporting, the family declined to comment.

eThekwini Ward 70 councillor, Tony Govender, said the reaction to the news sent shock waves through the community. He said the motive was unknown and called upon the police to leave no stone unturned in the apprehension of the criminals involved.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za