Suspects gag robbery victim with bar of soap in Parkgate

Two armed robbery suspects attempted to kill a 43-year-old female by stuffing a bar of bath soap down her throat and turning on the hot water in Parkgate, KZN.

Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received a call from the victim’s 20-year-old daughter requesting assistance. The caller informed the controller on duty that her mother was bound & gagged in the shower and was believed to be dead.

All available Reaction Officers and RUSA Medics were dispatched to the residence on arrival removed the obstruction from the victim’s airway before cutting off her restraints. She regained consciousness and started crying uncontrollably.

The woman explained that she was conducting chores in the yard when she was accosted by a suspect who was armed with a knife. He forced her into her house where he was joined by an accomplice who was in possession of a firearm. One suspect was dressed in blue jeans & a yellow t-shirt. The second suspect was dressed in black pants and a black jacket.

The robbers ransacked the home in search of valuables. They discovered the key to a safe from which they stole a large amount of cash. They then forced the woman into the shower where they bound her hands and legs with a scarf (picture3). They covered her in cooking oil to prevent her from standing up. They then asked her to point out the hot water tap as both taps were unmarked. The victim showed them the cold water tap which they opened before they stuffed a bar of soap wrapped with toilet paper and plastic down her throat (picture2). The suspects then fled.
Her daughter arrived at the residence and found the driveway gate locked. She called out to her mother and was forced to jump over the gate after she did not receive a response. When she entered the house she discovered her unresponsive mother in the shower.

It could not be confirmed if the robbers fled on foot or in a vehicle.