Grassy Park police are on the hunt for a vigilante group of fake cops who have been kicking down doors and robbing homeowners at gunpoint.
Station commander, Colonel Dawood Laing, says in the latest incident on Monday, a Lotus River taxi driver and his family were left traumatised when more than 10 armed men stormed his home.
Samarodien Benjamin, 28, says he woke up to the screams of his two-year-old son and got a skrik when he saw the men holding a gun to his face.
“It was about 2am and me, my girlfriend and my son were sleeping when I just heard a bang
and people shouting ‘police’,” he explains.
“One was on my bed and they put a torch in my face and then I saw the gun.”
Samarodien Benjamin says more than 10 men kicked in his door and stormed into his home. Picture: Monique Duval
Benjamin says the men ordered him out of his home as they beat him up.
“They just started hitting and kicking me and told me I must get out,” he says.
“They told me they will kill me. I didn’t see any uniforms, but they were dressed in all black and were wearing balaclavas.
“I have cuts on my hand and lip the way they hit me.”
He says when the men left, he noticed they had kicked down the front door and realised various valuables were missing.
“They took my cellphone, laptop and my wallet. There was R800 in it and that was my takings from the taxi trips.”
Samarodien traumatised after 10 men stormed in. Picture: Monique Duval
Laing confirms that two similar cases were registered in 2018.
“We are shocked and very concerned,” the top cop says.
“At this stage it is unclear who they are, but we are calling on the public to come forward with information before it happens again.”
HURT: Samarodien Benjamin of Lotus River was hit in his face. Picture: Monique Duval
Benjamin says he is now
living in fear.
“I don’t know why they want me to leave my house. I can’t even sleep because they warned me they are coming back.
“My girlfriend and child are gone because they are so traumatised.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Captain Petersen on 079 894 1213.