This user opens up about the painful killing of her father during a house robbery that led her mother to renting a safety deposit box from First National Bank to protect the valuable items that the thieves didn't get to. It is reported that over 300 safety deposit boxes were stolen from the FNB branch in Randburg during a break in. The matter is still under investigation.
My father was murdered in an armed robbery at my parent's home in January 2015. The thieves made off with minor things. They didn't manage to find my father's most prized possessions.
Following his death my mom moved into a new home. She was petrified that history would repeat itself so she put all of her valuable possessions into a safety deposit box.
The box contained 19 Kruger Rands, her engagement ring, as well as her mom's and grand parents' engagement rings, pocket watches, coin sets and a few other bits and bobs. She was going to use the Kruger Rands to fly my brother and his wife out from America to visit her now and again.
She was notified that her box had been stolen telephonically on December 23, almost a week after the heist. On December 24 an email was sent to her noting the telephone conversation and it reiterated the theft of her box yet this email was dated December 22.
It's ironic how in a burglary, where a life was taken, such valuable items were missed, but where we thought they would be safe in a "secured" facility they were stolen.
It's just a sad state of affairs.
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FNB issued the following statement regarding the incident:
FNB can confirm that a robbery of safety deposit boxes occurred at its Randburg Branch (Corner of Republic and Main Road) on Sunday evening, 18th December 2016.
We deeply regret the impact that this has had on our customers affected by the robbery.
FNB could only notify customers once the police had completed their preliminary investigation as well as ascertain which customers were affected. As soon as the bank was able to start communicating to customers it began the process of notifying each customer individually.
We are working closely with the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the Organised Crime Unit with regard to the matter. In light of the police investigation currently underway, the Bank is unable to provide further commentary regarding the details of the actual robbery.
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