‘Who’s next?’ ask worried farmers after KZN farm murder

The murder of Newcastle farmer Tollie Nel on June 13 has members of the farming community in KZN contemplating a terrifying reality.

“We all have to come to terms with the fact that it’s no longer a matter of if, it’s when,” said chairman of the Newcastle Farmers’ Association, Tonni van Wyngaard, with regards to attacks on farmers.

“Everyone tries to do the best that their finances allow in terms of security, but there isn’t a day that goes by when farmers aren’t wondering, ‘Who’s next?’ The fear is there.”

Nel (63), an accomplished farmer and respected businessman, was shot multiple times in the abdomen and head during a farm attack at his residence on Krommellenboog Farm, along the R34 between Newcastle and Utrecht.

According to initial police reports, Nel’s son, Theunis, was attacked first around 8pm that evening, while walking to his parents’ house.

It is alleged that Theunis was nearly at his parents’ house when he encountered two unknown men who led him back to his house at gunpoint, where three more men lay in wait.

Theunis’ house is situated on the same property, behind Nel’s house. Theunis was tied up in shoe laces and his home was ransacked. The attackers took possession of Theunis’ firearm and cash then made their way to Nel’s house.

First responders told the Northern Natal News it appears that the five armed men entered Nel’s house through the home office adjoining the kitchen. They then went from the kitchen to the lounge, where Nel and his family were watching television, and demanded money and weapons.

Officers who attended the scene stated that the attackers shot Nel four times in the abdomen and once in the head before fleeing on foot with Theunis’ handgun as well as four more firearms which belonged to Nel.

The family’s dog, a Great Dane named Max, sustained an injury to his muzzle while trying to defend Nel, but is expected to make a full recovery.

After the incident was reported, a manhunt for the killers ensued with police officers, farmers, friends of the family and various security agencies joining hands in an effort to bring the perpetrators to book.

The search party used drones to assist in trying to track down Nel’s attackers.

Items of clothing and balaclavas were recovered along the R34. Police believe these items may have been discarded by Nel’s attackers as they made their getaway.

Safety needs to be a priority, warn first responders

Charles Steyn of Magenta said paramedics did all they could to try and revive Nel, but it was unfortunately too late. His injuries were too severe.

“Jacque Harmse responded to the incident from the security side of Magenta. I joined the response team and, later on, assisted in the search as a medic,” said Steyn. “When I heard that I was responding to a farm attack, I immediately asked for an armed guard to accompany us to the scene to ensure the safety of the crew. You never know what can happen at an active crime scene.”

Steyn added that, from his experience in responding to farm attacks, he found it unusual that the incident took place as early as it did.

“Typically, farm attacks tend to happen between 22:00 and 05:00, when the residents of the home are already asleep. It is unusual for armed robbers to enter the premises around 20:00, while the family is awake and watching television,” he explained.

“Farmers tend to rely on each other for safety, but even if they call on their neighbours for help, sometimes their closest neighbour would still take 20 to 30 minutes to get there. They need to ensure that they are protected by every means possible, electric fences, trip wires, cameras, alarm systems. It may sound expensive, but it’s necessary.”

The Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit took over the case from the local SAPS on Friday morning, June 14. The hard-work and dedication of this unit led to the successful conviction of the men who murdered Normandien farmer, Glen Rafferty, and his wife, Vida, in 2020.

‘Nel was one of the best farmers in the area’

Van Wyngaard described Nel, a longstanding member of the Newcastle Farmers’ Association, as one of the best farmers in the area. “He was one of the guys you grow up looking up to in the farming community.

He had many opportunities to leave South Africa but he stayed because of his love for this country and his passion for farming. His death is a terrible loss to the community. We will miss him,” he said.

Morné Potgieter of Ithemba Security Services echoed Wyngaard’s sentiments, saying that Nel was one of the best farmers he knew.

“We responded to a call out to a farm attack that evening. When we got to the scene, we found that Nel was already deceased and the suspects were at large so we joined the search, following up on every lead,” said Potgieter who was one of the first responders on the scene.

“We have really lost a pillar in the community. No words can describe this loss,” he added.

Imran Ghafoor of the Newcastle Crime Fighters Task Team expressed regret that, despite searching late into the night until the next morning, the attackers could not be found.

Chairman of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), Ismaeel Dhalech of Optimus Protection Services, thanked all the CPF members, the farmers from Newcastle, Utrecht and Wakkerstroom, and all the security agencies that responded, for assisting with the search for Nel’s attackers.

“I would like to extend a special thanks to Karel Landman from ‘Veiligheid’, a farm watch group, for co-ordinating the search efforts,” said Dhalech.

He added, “It was an unfortunate and senseless killing. Members of the community who live in town are always being urged to be vigilant, to lock their doors, secure their properties and to be alert at all times. Farmers need to take ten times the precautions. They live in remote areas where their neighbours are quite a distance away, so their security really needs to be up to scratch.”

“The community of Newcastle and the Amajuba District is in shock,” stated Johan Pieters, a friend of Nel’s and chairman of the Newcastle Growth Coalition.

“We lost a respectable farmer and businessman. Tollie Nel was a pioneer when it came to farming. His friends and the farmers in the District will agree that he was one of a kind. He had numerous business interests and will be missed in business circles as well.

“Tollie was always there to assist where possible and his involvement in Newcastle activities will surely feel the loss. The District did not only lose a farmer and businessman but also a husband, dad and friend to many. Our condolences go out to his wife, sons, family and friends.”

‘Tollie was a farmer with a big heart’ 

Cas Joubert, one of Nel’s closest friends, described Nel as an innovator and an inventor.

“But most of all, he was a farmer through and through. Tollie hardly ever took time off from farming,” said Joubert.

“I last spoke to Tollie three days ago (June 11) and tried to convince him to come to America with me for a few days. Tollie loved America. He was once our tour guide, driving us all the way from Las Vegas to Chicago and stopping to talk to as many farmers as possible along the route. Unfortunately, he said he was too busy harvesting his crop to come with me this time. If he had come, things would have been different but I guess everything happens as it has to.”

Joubert added, “Tollie was very close to his wife and two sons and a good person overall. When one of his neighbours was diagnosed with cancer and couldn’t afford the treatment, I called Tollie. Without hesitation, he said he would cover half the cost, and I covered the other half. He had a very big heart.”

According to Joubert, Tollie had a very good relationship with his staff, having retained the same farm manager for more than 25 years.

“He also cared about his domestic helper and built her house. When her house was damaged in the tornado three weeks ago, Tollie was planning on rebuilding it,” said Joubert.

“While Tollie was around, all the young farmers, including my own sons, had an open channel of advice from one of the most outstanding and knowledgeable farmers I know,” Joubert continued.

“Tollie had a good mind for engineering. He was always developing new farm implements or new methods of farming. He was positive and creative when it came to solving problems. In business, he was involved in numerous projects including a diamond mining operation in the Northern Cape. In his younger days, Tollie was fond of horses and was very good at gymkhana.”

“In December, Tollie enjoyed a reunion with all his brothers and sisters who spent a few days together at their house in Natures Valley. In hindsight, I am glad he spent that time with the people he loves most,” concluded Joubert.