According to Athol, they attacked him from behind and stuffed something in his mouth to prevent him from screaming.<\/p>\n
They then proceeded to strangle him and immobilised him so that he could not move or defend himself.<\/p>
\u201cThey pushed me to the floor and as I fell forward I knew there was more than one attacker as I saw another pair of shoes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened after that I can\u2019t remember.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know whether they had weapons or not,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The criminals stole a set of house keys and two sets of car keys, before the house alarm went off, forcing them to make a hasty retreat, before they could steal the vehicles.<\/p>\n Athol\u2019s wife woke up after hearing the dogs barking and knew something was wrong, so she pushed the panic button.<\/p>\n Kyle, his youngest son, discovered his father in the front yard after Athol had been assaulted to the point of unconsciousness.<\/p>\n Kyle found his father tied up with the cord from his gown and with socks in his mouth.<\/p>\n Within minutes, SWS Security arrived and assisted the family by calling an ambulance and the Germiston SAPS.<\/p>\n According to Athol, the ambulance arrived in good time.<\/p>\n However, he alleged the SAPS arrived five hours after the incident took place.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Police appeal to community for information<\/a><\/p>\n Keep these Germiston SAPS sector numbers handy<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI am very disappointed but I can\u2019t say that I am surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cMy other son, Athol Junior, drove from Magaliesburg and he was here before the police.<\/p>\n \u201cThe police did not even know why they were there and asked me what the reason for their visit was,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Athol went to his home doctor who provided him with the necessary medical attention he needed, as he temporarily lost his voice due to the strangulation.<\/p>\n He also sustained bruises and lesions to various parts of his body.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been targeted in the past – a house robbery and a hijacking – we have been victims of crime.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just never know when it will happen again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He thanks SWS Security for their quick response and their compassion.<\/p>\n \u201cI am grateful to be alive and that nothing happened to my wife or children,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A case has been opened at the Germiston Police Station and is being investigated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/01\/IMG_5019_52880-520x390.jpg\")
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