A man and woman accused of breaking into an elderly woman’s Oakdale home, stabbing and tying her up during a robbery have appeared in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court after being arrested by security officers who tracked them down following the attack.
The suspects were arrested after an armed response team from SJC Armed Response used information from the victim’s family and cellphone tracking to trace their movements.
The incident happened at a home in Retief Street, Oakdale, Bellville, where the elderly woman was allegedly assaulted, stabbed and restrained after the attackers gained entry by damaging a window.
SJC Armed Response said an officer was dispatched to the property at about 12.56 pm last Thursday, November 5.
The officer found the elderly client had been attacked and restrained.
Following an extensive search of the area, officers located two individuals matching the descriptions provided.
Cellphones, electronic devices, shopping cards and clothing believed to have been stolen during the robbery were recovered.
The woman positively identified both suspects.
Suspects appeared in Bellville Magistrates’ Court
Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel FC van Wyk confirmed the incident.
“Be advised that a house robbery happened on 2026-11-05 at 12:30 at a premises on Retief Street, Oakdale,” van Wyk said.
He added: “According to reports the complainant was attacked in her house by an unknown male and female. Items were taken from her residence.”
The suspects and the scene were handed over to Bellville police.
Van Wyk said the pair were detained and had since been before the court.
“The adult suspects were arrested by personnel of a security company and detained at Bellville SAPS, for further investigation.”
“They appeared in the Bellville Magistrates court on 2026-11-09 for the mentioned charges.”
Latest robbery adds to concerns over attacks on elderly residents
The arrests come as northern suburbs residents grow increasingly anxious about attacks on older people in their homes.
On Saturday, 31 October, a 94-year-old woman was tied up and robbed in her backyard in Kenridge, Durbanville.
Her son said she fought her attacker until she passed out, then freed herself and drove to a neighbour for help. She remains in hospital.
No arrests have been announced in either case, and police have not linked them to each other.
Freedom Front Plus PR councillor Emre Uygun previously told IOL Media residents were reporting similar methods across the northern suburbs.
“The crowbar gang is targeting the Northern Suburbs hard,” he said.
He said criminals appeared to be picking vulnerable victims.
“They are going for soft, easy targets,” he said.
