7 attacks in 24 hours on smallholdings outside of Pretoria

Tuesday night, CPF members were called out to a property in Haakdoornboom after two workers were attacked and injured around 19:15 by a group of unknown men.

CPF sector 3 spokesperson Cobie Jansen van Rensburg said the injured workers ran to her property for help.

“Both the workers, who were sitting outside around a fire, were attacked and robbed of their cellphones and cash.”

One of the workers was hit over the head with an unknown object while the other one was grazed on the head by what was believed to be a bullet when shots were fired.

Emergency services arrived on the scene and the workers were treated before being taken to the Steve Biko academic hospital.

Jansen van Renburg said the spike in attacks, robberies and break-ins was a huge concern.

“According to the description of the suspects, there’s a big possibility that it’s the so-called ‘long and short gang’. They have regrouped and divided up into two groups,” she said.

From Tuesday to Wednesday, seven incidents were reported in an area a 15km radius.

“On Tuesday, two residents were attacked and injured in a house robbery around 19:45. Later that evening, another property was targeted in the area and the property’s windows were broken and the fence was cut. Another attempted house break-in with shots fired was also reported the same evening,” she said.

“On Wednesday, two house robberies, an attempted house robbery and an attempted murder were reported.”

Jansen van Rensburg said the modus operandi was the same as one used the “long and short gang”.

“We as community are facing challenges like never before,” she said.

She thanked all the members that responded as well as the Pretoria North police.

“We salute you all.”