By Aerusha Jenal Lalbahadur
Residents are urged to be aware and alert following the alleged robbery of a 84-year-old woman who was drugged with Allergex and robbed by a con woman, at her home in Garb Green, Greenbury.
The traumatised pensioner was alone at home during the incident on 23 August. The daughter of the victim, 63-year-old Theresa Naidoo, said she was disturbed after visiting her mother, Dolly Naidoo, and witnessing the condition that she was in following the incident.
She said: “My mother was disorientated and was unable to speak. I also noticed that she was not wearing her beloved jewellery as per usual.”
Naidoo said during her visit she was approached by her mother’s neighbour who told her that there was a lady who had tried to take my mother from her home but that they managed to stop her.
“Seeing the state that my mother was in, I then called an ambulance as I was afraid of what might have happened, because she was not talking to me. My mother was put on drips and we were told that she was given five Allergex tablets. After some time we took her home and that is when my mother spoke to me and said that a woman had told her that she was sent by me to do a prayer. Because the lady had told my mother that I had sent her, my mother allowed her inside the house,” said Naidoo.
She said the lady made her mother remove all her jewellery and had her place it on a tray.
“She had also asked my mother to take the tablets saying that it was for the prayer. She did the so called prayer and told my mother that she will be leaving the jewellery under the mattress and that my mother was only allowed to put it back on after a few hours. The lady then tried to remove my mother’s necklace, however my mother stopped her as the necklace was broken and sewed in. That is when the lady tried to make my mother walk on to the road under the pretence of doing another prayer. I am so appreciative that the neighbour saw what happened and stopped her from going. The lady then said she was going to call an Uber for my mother and never returned,” said Naidoo.
Naidoo said the state that her mother was left in was terrifying as she was slurring her words and could not speak.
“My mother has been living in the area for many years and this is the first time an incident like this has happened to her, she was petrified after the incident and is heartbroken as she has had her jewellery for years. I am hoping that something is done and my mother gets the justice she deserves. I hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” added Naidoo.
Following the first incident, numerous residents have taken to social media platforms to spread awareness and information regarding other alleged incidents of the con woman.
One of the messages that was circulated on WhatsApp said: “There is an Indian lady posing as a nurse from Mount Edgecombe who is targeting the elderly folk. She is gaining entry into their homes by smooth talking them and once she is inside she sedates them with medication under the pretence of helping them with their ailments then sets out to rob them by saying she needs jewellery to mix in turmeric water that will cure them completely. These elderly folks had to be hospitalised and one of them may have had a stroke because of the medication given to her. There are three homes that we know off currently. It’s really a serious concern and we need to alert the communities.”
Phoenix SAPS Communication Officer, Captain Louise Naidoo, confirmed the incident and said: “An elderly woman opened her gates to a lady who alleged she was sent by a family member. The elderly woman was given eight tablets before being robbed of R2000 cash and R40 000 worth of jewellery.”
Naidoo urges senior citizens to be aware of who they allow into their homes.
“If a stranger says they are sent by a family member, verify the information with the family member before allowing the stranger into your home.”
Phoenix Community Police Forum, Public Relations Officer, Mark Nadasen, said they are urging senior citizens of the Phoenix area to avoid allowing unknown individuals from entering their properties whilst they are alone.
He said: “Fraudsters come in many types and forms. They may seem to appear as humble human beings, however, in today’s day and age you cannot trust people freely. In the event of you being approached by strangers or if you feel unsafe or threatened at any given moment, please report the matter immediately to SAPS on 031 508 2300.”
