A Cape St Francis father shot one of five men who broke into his home armed with knives, crowbars and cable ties on Wednesday morning.
The wounded suspect, 26, is in hospital under police guard.
Traumatised residents said they had been awoken in the early hours of the morning by a volley of gunshots.
Neighbours of the 36-year-old homeowner and father of two, whom police have not named, said the family had moved to the neighbourhood from Jeffreys Bay a few months ago.
One neighbour, aged 37, who did not want to be named, said he woke up to the gunshots at about 2.40am and rushed to his neighbours’ aid.
“The suspects attempted to tie up and rob the house owner, who fought back and fired in the knee area of one of the suspects,” he said.
“What was scary about all this was that the homeowner was inside the house with his wife and two children, aged two and three.”
The man said the homeowner, whom he declined to name, sustained minor cuts and bruises.
“I heard about five shots,” he said.
“I got up to investigate because we look after each other – the whole episode lasted less than five minutes.
“It was traumatic for everybody,” he said.
The neighbour said when he arrived at the scene, most of the drama had died down but he had stayed with the family to try to comfort them.
Patricia Wood, 36, who lives two houses away, said she had heard five or six gunshots.
Prior to the incident, the dogs in the neighbourhood had been barking constantly, she said.
“You can see these guys came here with a mission.
“The whole side window was shattered with a crowbar.
“They even managed to bypass the alarm system. This could have happened to anybody,” Wood said.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Majola Nkohli said a case of house robbery had been opened against the wounded suspect, while police would investigate a case of attempted murder against the home owner.
“If an element of criminality is found [with regard to the shooting of the suspect], a case will be opened,” he said.
The attack happened in Waratah Avenue at 2.45am.
Nkohli said the men had forced open the lounge window to gain entry.
“A couple inside the house was attacked and, during a scuffle‚ the homeowner managed to get hold of his licensed firearm,” he said.
“He shot and wounded one of the suspects.
“The other four suspects fled and the wounded suspect ran a short distance but fell near the driveway.
“Police recovered a crowbar‚ cable ties and two stolen cellphones, of which one was in possession of the suspect.”
Nkohli said the homeowner had been treated at the scene for minor injuries. His wife and children were unharmed.
Members of the community policing forum said crime in the town was a major concern.
Peet Leen, an executive of the CPF in the Sea Vista area, said: “Housebreaking and robbery are the main crimes.
“It’s very serious and we are very concerned. Often it happens between the late night and early hours when some officers are booked off sick or only one vehicle is available.”