A Richwood pensioner had a rude awakening on Sunday morning when his daughter roused him just before 4am to tell him a car had smashed into his home and then sped off.
Alfred du Toit’s daughter, Caroline, told him she had heard a loud bang outside the house in Rustenberg Road, which forms a T-junction with Rue de la Bri, a cul-de-sac.
Mr Du Toit was stunned to see the path of destruction left by the hit-and-run driver: the security gate was buckled and off its track, and the force of the impact had knocked his Ford Figo into the garage door.
While he is insured for both his property and his car, he estimates the total damage at more than R40 000.
He said his neighbour, who did not want to be named, told him she had seen a white VW race up the road and then reverse backwards at a speed, slamming into Mr Du Toit’s property. The driver sped off, but left two front light plastic covers on the pavement.
Mr Du Toit said many people drive up Rue de la Bri, a cul-de-sac, and then reversed the short distance back into Rustenburg Road.
He moved to the neighbourhood 17 years ago from Ottery and said the area was mostly peaceful “barring a few break-ins”.
Bothasig SAPS spokesman Warrant Officer Jacques Mostert, said police were investigating a case of malicious damage to property.
If you have information, contact Detective Constable Paulos Tshabalala at 021 558 3688 or 079 894 0095; or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
