Living in the city, we’re comforted by the presence of security companies and public safety officials, and crimes that happen on farms are a remote concern for us.
However, two farm attacks in January hit close to home.
On January 15, a local Sec Pros control room operator, *Pieter (21), received a call from his uncle informing him of a horrific farm attack in the early morning hours near Polokwane.
Pieter, a Glen Marais resident, said the four suspects, if eventually caught, would face charges of house robbery, theft, murder and rape after killing his grandfather (69) on his farm about 25km from Polokwane, and raping five women, including three young cousins.
“My granddad, grandmother (63), aunt and three young cousins were all on the farm during the time of the attack. The attackers tied up the entire family and all the women were raped,” he explained.
Pieter’s cousins are all in primary school. The youngest will turn seven later this year.
“My granddad tried going for his gun when one suspect sliced a deep gash in his right side with a panga. They took R1 500 cash and jewellery.”
Pieter’s grandfather was rushed to hospital where he died on January 24 after suffering a heart attack. Pieter’s female relatives received trauma care and spent two nights in hospital.
“The attackers got away and police are still investigating.”
His widowed grandmother and other female relatives went to live with family until further arrangement could me made.
His grandfather will be remembered as a successful sheep and fig farmer who always made time to play with his grandchildren, no matter the time of day and whether he was busy.
“I will always remember how he taught me to ride a tractor. Even as little as I was, he allowed me to change gears and control the petrol and brake pedals,” said Pieter.
In a separate attack on January 29, in the early hours of the morning, Timothy Rademeyer (51) and his partner Dirkie Voges (61) were attacked by four suspects on their farm in Bapsfontein.
Dirkie’s son, Rudi Voges, told Express how his parents were disturbed by the noise of someone breaking into their home while they were asleep.
The suspects tortured Rademeyer, mutilating his genitals, while Dirkie was tied up and beaten inside their home.
He said his mother got up to investigate and that was when four suspects attacked her.
“My dad reacted to my mother’s cries.”
Voges said the suspects also overpowered his father. The men fled for tools.
“After the attack, my mother managed to break free, injuring herself in the process. She crawled to the farm gate and lay in the road until someone stopped to help.”
The brother of paramedic Candice Allison chanced upon Dirkie in the road and rushed off to call his sister. She arrived and urgently assisted the elderly couple, who needed medical attention.
The couple is lucky to have survived the attack.
*Real name withheld to protect identity of the victims.
