A Cape Flats oupa has been brutally beaten to death by heartless robbers who invaded his home and attacked him and his wife in the middle of the night.
Peter Goliath Senior, 70, who suffered from epilepsy, died defending his wife Elizabeth, 66, who survived the ordeal by playing dead.
The horrific attack occurred at the couple’s home in Orion Road, Surrey Estate, at about 4am on Saturday, after two skelms forced a window open to gain access.
GRIM: Peter's body is removed from his Orion Road home by officers. Photo: AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY (ANA)
Manenberg police station commander, Brigadier Enolium Joseph, says officers found the body of the oupa tied up with cable ties, while his wife had escaped.
“The couple woke up when the window was forced open and the intruders threatened them and violently attacked them,” explains Joseph.
“Both of them were tied up as the suspects searched the house for valuables. The 70-year-old male put up a fight to protect his wife and home and in the process was injured and succumbed to his injuries.
“Paramedics confirmed he had died before he could receive medical treatment. His wife was left with visible facial injuries and taken to hospital for treatment.”
The suspects made off with a flat screen TV and a cellphone, added Joseph.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, says she heard the couple’s door open shortly after 4am and got a skrik when Elizabeth told her they had been robbed.
“She told me to call the police and ambulance and they came, but he did not make it. I thought perhaps he had a fit because he was epileptic, but we were shocked when we saw what they did. They hit them really bad.”
Daughter Lizelle Seconds, 35, says her mother was bludgeoned by the skelms who repeatedly demanded money.
SHOCKED: Daughter Lizelle Seconds, 35. Photo: AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY (ANA)
“They kept asking her where is the money and they were looking for jewellery, so they took two watches,” she says.
“My mother’s whole body is bludgeoned and she is very traumatised. She says they tried to put a pillow over her head to smother her, but she made like she was dead so they left her.
“We are still waiting for the post-mortem to tell us the exact cause of his death.”
Joseph says the station’s top detectives are investigating the case and a large reward will be offered for information which can help catch the perpetrators.
Peter and Elizabeth had been married for 25 years and have two children and five granddaughters.
HORROR SCENE: Man tied with cable ties during the ordeal. Photo: AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY (ANA)
Lizelle: “He put up a fight, but he was quite frail. They (granddaughters) are very traumatised. I mean, you expect your pa to pass on due to age, but not in this horrific manner. We are really going to miss him and his dry sense of humour.”
Neighbours described Peter as the perfect gentleman, who always greeted them with a smile and helped keep the quiet street clean by picking up litter.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Manenberg police on 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop 08600 10111.