KZN grandfather shot while defending family during third home invasion in a year

A 61-year-old Stanger grandfather was shot during an armed home invasion after confronting intruders who had entered his family home — the third robbery targeting the family within a year.

According to The POST Jags Raja was wounded in the thigh after he managed to disarm one of the suspects during the attack at his Holm Bush home.

His son, Jithesh Raja, said the bullet remained lodged in his father’s thigh while doctors assessed the safest way to remove it. He said his father was in a stable condition in hospital.

Jithesh, a businessman and tuckshop owner, the POST  the attack happened shortly after 6pm when he was outside the property.

He said an armed man forced open the front gate and entered the property.

“He pointed the gun at me and said ‘do not move or I will shoot you’,” Jithesh said.

He said he was ordered to put down his tools and enter the house, where two more armed men joined the robbery.

Jithesh said his mother was in the lounge at the time, while his niece, sister, and brother-in-law were in another room.

The suspects allegedly took their cellphones before moving through the house.

He said his mother then went to alert his father, who was in the tuckshop.

However, the suspects had already confronted Jags.

“My dad fought with them, and he managed to disarm one of them,” Jithesh said.

He said the other suspects fled after his father took control of one of the firearms.

Jithesh said his father confronted the intruders and ordered them to leave the property.

He alleged that two of the suspects used him and his brother-in-law as shields while trying to escape.

The family said one of the suspects fired shots as they fled, striking Jags in the thigh.

Jithesh contacted Taurus Medical and Security Services owner Nikesh Hooblall, who assisted in arranging an emergency response. Police and ambulances later arrived at the scene.

The family said they were grateful that nobody else was injured.

“My father is a pensioner and a grandfather of three, with one more grandchild on the way. He is our hero and has always done his best to protect us,” Jithesh said.

He said the family had previously been targeted by criminals.

“Last year in June, the same thing happened. Gunmen stormed our home and made off with valuables. In January, we were targeted again. The tuckshop was robbed. The area has become very dangerous,” he said.

Jithesh said the latest incident had left the family concerned about rising crime in the area.

“We hope that crime is addressed in the area,” he said.

IOL News