Barberton couple attacked by a giraffe on Valentine’s Day
Barberton Hi-Tech’s Sakkie Dednam and his wife, Yvonne, a well-loved couple in the community, went on a walk on the Greenstone Wildlife Estate when a young male giraffe suddenly attacked them.
An afternoon stroll through Greenstone Wildlife Estate ended in Barberton Hi-Tech’s Sakkie Dednam and his wife, Yvonne, being rushed to hospital with serious injuries after they had been attacked by a young male giraffe on February 14.
The couple, who are well-known and loved in Barberton, are currently in Kiaat Private Hospital where they are both in a stable condition. Hi-Tech Nelspruit’s Frank Swanepoel said he had received a call from the pair’s son, Eduan, just after 17:00, informing him of the attack.
“They both take a walk through the estate where they live every afternoon. They were walking their dogs. A young male giraffe suddenly stormed them. It sounds like it kicked them and trampled them,” said Swanepoel.
ALSO READ: Three accused of Dr Nicholas Procter’s murder appear in Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court
He said the dogs managed to run away during the attack.
Eduan said Sakkie was able to get under a bush at some point during the attack, but Yvonne was not. He said she sustained some head injuries and a concussion, and that the doctors are still busy with her, working on her and carrying out scans. He said a few of Sakkie’s ribs were broken.
Eduan confirmed that both his parents are currently in a stable condition, and the whole family is hoping for the best. Swanepoel said the whole Hi-Tech team was shocked to hear about the attack, and that it was a big surprise that it had happened in the first place.
ALSO READ: Man shot and killed in Sabie
“We hope they both recover fully very soon. They have our full support, and we will be there to help them with whatever we can,” said Swanepoel.
Gerhard Bessenger, the vice chairperson of the board of Greenstone Wildlife Estate, confirmed the incident and said it was very unfortunate. He said Jan Oberholzer and his team of the provincial emergency medical services and Hi-Tech’s medical services were on the scene within minutes of receiving the call. He thanked them for their incredible response.
He said the estate is still awaiting feedback on the extent of the injuries and what had happened during the attack. Bessenger said he would pray for the Dednams’ well-being, and also warned the other residents to be careful of the giraffes.
