Chief economist Dawie Roodt used a power cut as an opportunity to free himself and lure armed robbers out of his house to protect his wife, their twin toddlers and his adult daughter.

But he paid a high price for his bravery – he was then hacked with a panga by one of the men in his garage.

His wife and children were not harmed.

This is according to statements issued by the police and Efficient Group on Friday morning, describing the attack on the director and his family in their house in a security estate in Pretoria around 20:00 on Thursday evening.

His personal assistant, Erika Botha, said the family was tied up in the study and held at gunpoint while their house was being ransacked.

Assailants panicked

“During the robbery there was a power failure in the area and Dawie used this opportunity to free himself.

“One of the assailants noticed this at which point Dawie convinced him that he had money in his vehicle in the garage.

“At an appropriate time at the garage Dawie attacked the assailant which led to the assailant stabbing and cutting Dawie multiple times. The assailants panicked because of the noise and they fled the property with the stolen goods.”

He was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery.

“He will have to undergo further surgery to restore the damage caused to his arm,” read the statement.

“The family has been traumatised by the event but would like to thank everyone for the words of support.”

Roodt is a well-known economist often quoted in the media, and also a television and radio presenter.

Fived killed in robberies in 24 hours – Solidarity

Trade union Solidarity said five people had been killed in robberies in South Africa over the past 24 hours.

“Unfortunately incidents such as these have become a daily occurrence in South Africa. Over the last 24 hours, five people have been killed in robberies. We are just grateful that the Roodt family have been spared,” Soldarity chief executive Dirk Hermann said.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed the incident, saying two of the men were armed with a panga and a revolver.

However, the police said according to their information there were four robbers, and not three as stated by Efficient Group.

“It is alleged that Mr Roodt’s daughter was visiting and as she came to the gate, she was confronted by four suspects,” said Mogale.

“Two suspects were armed with a panga and a revolver. They forced her into the house where they tied up all of the family and demanded money. Mr Roodt indicated that there was money in the car outside,” Mogale said.

“As the suspects took him outside, there was load-shedding and Mr Roodt fought the suspects in the dark. During the fight he was hacked with a panga. He sustained injuries to his head and arm.

“The suspects fled the scene and he was taken to hospital for medical attention,” Mogale said.

Earlier, Botha told News24 that the suspects had made off with the family’s cellphones, laptops and bags. News24