Stuffed into a washing machine: four-year-old’s horror in fake cop home invasion. A four-year-old girl was forced into a washing machine during a harrowing home invasion in Hazelmere, KwaZulu-Natal, in the early hours of Wednesday, after suspects allegedly impersonated police officers to gain entry to the property. Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) said the incident occurred at the home of a 29-year-old Malawian national, who also operates a tuck shop next to her residence.
According to Rusa, four suspects arrived at the premisespretending to be law enforcement officers. “A four-year-old female was forced into a washing machine during a home invasion in Hazelmere – KZN during the early hours of this morning (Wednesday).” Rusa said the suspects were dressed in civilian clothing but allegedly displayed SAPS name tags and badges, accusing the woman of drug dealing despite her running a grocery tuck shop. One suspect was allegedlyarmed with a firearm, another with a knife, while the remaining suspects ransacked both the house and the shop.
A range of items was stolen, including approximately R200 in cash, an undisclosed amount of coins, a torch, a sack of cabbage, packs of Russian sausages, several cartons of cigarettes and the victim’s cellphone. During therobbery, the suspects allegedly subjected the child to a terrifying ordeal. “One of the suspects placed the four-year-old child inside a washing machine and attempted to switch it on but failed,” Rusa added.
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Although shaken, the children were not physically injured. Rusa confirmed that the four-year-old and her siblings, aged nine and three, escaped without bodily harm. The victim was unable to contact authorities immediately because her cellphone was stolen.
Community members later assisted her, and Rusa was contacted on Wednesday morning. The woman further informed Reaction Officers that she had previously been robbed at the same premises on December 26.
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