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Four Men Broke In. One Boy Fought to Survive. This Is What Happened in Wonderboom
How a Grade 8 learner escaped with his life after being ambushed in his own home
It was supposed to be just another Monday afternoon in the Pretoria suburb of Wonderboom. But for the Combrinck family, it turned into a nightmare that left their teenage son bloodied, broken, and fighting for his life.
Luann Combrinck, just 14 years old and a Grade 8 learner at Hoërskool Overkruin, had no idea he was walking into danger when he returned home from school. At around 13:45, he entered through the back gate that links the school to his home and stepped into a scene that would forever change his family’s life.
The Attack That Shook a Community
Inside the house were four intruders. The moment Luann entered, they pounced. According to his mother, Marisa Combrinck, the attackers struck him on the head with what’s believed to have been a garden spade. He collapsed, unconscious, and was left lying in a pool of his own blood.
“They left my child for dead,” Marisa said through tears. “They could’ve taken everything without touching him, but they didn’t care. It breaks my heart.”
Despite the trauma, Luann somehow regained consciousness while the suspects were still ransacking the house. He managed to jump the back wall and flee to safety. Staff at the school, including head of sport Heinrich Enslin, were quick to help after spotting his injuries.
A Mother’s Worst Fear
Just 25 minutes before the attack, Marisa had left the house to fetch her 10-year-old daughter. When she returned, the sight that greeted her was chilling.
“There was blood everywhere. On the walls, floor, and even the curtains. I thought my child was dead,” she said.
Luann’s school blazer lay soaked in blood on the floor. Their gardener had also been tied up, assaulted, and slashed in the face. The attackers used cable ties to bind him, cutting off circulation to his hands. He kept asking where Luann was, unaware that the boy had already escaped.
What the Robbers Took
The gang, believed to have forced open the motor gate with a white Toyota Hilux, made off with electronics, sports gear, sneakers, and jewellery. But what they left behind was far more damaging: a traumatised family and a community questioning its safety.
Luann was rushed to Montana Hospital, where doctors used over 30 staples to close deep wounds on his head. A CT scan showed light bleeding on the brain, though thankfully no skull fractures. He was later moved to Groenkloof Hospital for further care.
The Fight for Justice
The Tshwane District police confirmed the robbery happened between 14:00 and 14:35. A full investigation is underway, with police calling on the public for any information that could help bring the four suspects to justice.
But for Marisa and her family, the real horror isn’t just in what was taken.
“You can replace a television. You can’t replace your child’s life,” she said. “People who can do this to a child don’t belong in society.”
A Wake-Up Call for Home Security
This horrific attack has reignited safety concerns among Wonderboom residents and beyond. According to Paul Visser from the Pretoria ICE Community Network, homeowners should take proactive steps to secure their property. He advises using motion lights, keeping yards clear of hiding spots, and making sure children know what to do in emergencies.
He also reminds families to vary routines, especially when arriving home, and to always check surroundings before entering.
A Community Left Reeling
Social media has since erupted with outrage and sympathy for the Combrinck family. Local parents, in particular, have shared their fear over how easily something like this could happen to any child. “My son also uses a gate that links to the school grounds,” one mother wrote. “This could’ve been us.”
Luann is still recovering, both physically and emotionally. And while his survival is nothing short of miraculous, the trauma he endured speaks volumes about the state of violent crime in parts of South Africa.
This wasn’t just a robbery. It was a brutal act of cruelty carried out against a child.
And now, a family waits for justice, hoping the system doesn’t forget the boy who came home from school and nearly didn’t make it out alive.
Also read: Parys Rape Case Ends with Life Imprisonment Ruling
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: Shutterstock
