Noor couple survive attack at home

The police are still following up on leads following the robbery and attack on the well-known Noor family of Louis Trichardt on Sunday night. Mr Solly Noor was viciously beaten on the head by one of the robbers during the attack and was lucky to escape death.

The attack and the robbery sent shock waves through the community and again highlighted the reckless and arrogant attitude of criminals operating in the region. The incident occurred shortly after 21:00 on Sunday, when a group of robbers managed to overpower the guards outside the Noor residence in Eltivillas. The six robbers tied up the guards, as well as some of the members of staff.

According to Mr Noor, he noticed that the guards were missing outside the house. He walked to the back of the house to check if there were any guards there.

One of the robbers had entered the house in the meantime and saw him. The robber then grabbed Mr Noor and started hitting him on the head with a gun while demanding to know where the money was. Mrs Zohra Noor came to the rescue of her husband and, while protecting him against the blows, shouted at the robber to go upstairs and see what he could take. In the process, she was hit on the shoulder and arms by the robber. Her husband was bleeding profusely from the head wounds.

When the robber went upstairs to the bedrooms, Mr and Mrs Noor escaped through the side door and ran outside. The robbers started ransacking the house, which gave the Noor couple an opportunity to reach the street outside the house. A patrol vehicle of a security firm happened to go past the house and saw them. The driver rushed them to the Zoutpansberg Private Clinic where they were treated. Mr Noor had to get several stitches to the head to stop the bleeding, while Mrs Noor was treated for the bruises on her arm and shoulder.

According to Mr Noor, the robbers only managed to get away with some cell phones and the jewellery they had on them. “We make a point of never storing any cash or valuables at the house,” says Mr Noor.

Mr Noor, who was still very shocked and traumatized this week, was very thankful for the support they received from all sectors of the community after the attack. “People from all over phoned and visited us to express their sympathy. This means such a lot to our family and I want to thank them all for their compassion,” he said. Mr Noor thanked the staff of the Zoutpansberg Hospital who took such good care of them after the attack.

“We must also thank the police for their assistance,” he said.

According to Capt Maano Sadike of the Makhado SAPS, a case of house robbery was opened and investigations are continuing. “Anyone with information can call the local head of the detective branch, Lt-Col Monica Nemavhola, at 082 3199638 or the provincial head, Organised Crime, Colonel Mabotja at 082 4517176,” he said.

News - Date: 18 February 2011

Anton van Zyl

Anton van Zyl has been with the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror since 1990. He graduated from the Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg) and obtained a BA Communications degree. He is a founder member of the Association of Independent Publishers.

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