Western Cape man undergoes emergency surgery after brutal home invasion
Four men attacked the man (63), his wife (63), his mother (88) and a 85-year-old visitor from Switzerland.
Four people, of which two are in their 80s, suffered a brutal attack by four men inside their home on a smallholding in Hansmoeskraal on the outskirts of Pacaltsdorp, Western Cape, from late Monday night into the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The suspects gained access to the farmhouse during the evening and severely assaulted the group, robbed them and tied them up.
The property belongs to a couple in their 60s who moved to George in December.
The husband (63), who was critically injured during a confrontation with the assailants, is recovering in ICU in a local hospital after he had to undergo emergency surgery.
His 88-year-old mother also remains hospitalised with serious injuries and a hip fracture, while his wife (63) and an 85-year-old visitor from Switzerland, who were also injured, have been discharged. At this stage it is unclear whether the visitor from Switzerland is a family member or a friend.
The attackers, who only took a handbag, some electronic equipment and money, were quite heavily armed with a crowbar, at least one firearm and four knives.
They entered the premises, threatened and assaulted the victims with the crowbar, and fled in the owner’s Volkswagen Amarok.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, employees discovered the victims later on Tuesday morning and alerted authorities.
“Crime scene experts combed the scene for clues and a search for the assailants was launched. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Bob Street, Thembalethu,” says Spies.
Several attacks in the area
In July last year, George Herald reported on an increase of similar attacks in the area. According to a trusted source with insights into these incidents, there have been about 14 attacks of this kind in the last two years.
In a WhatsApp group message, Rupert Pretorius on behalf of the George Community Police Forum (CPF), asked residents of George to be more vigilant.
“As CPF, we ask that you as a community take this incident seriously and in doing so give a moment’s thought to your home security and environment. Perpetrators are always looking for the easy targets and many times they obtain information through employees on your premises,” he said.
Anyone with information regarding the recent incident, or that could lead to the arrest of the assailants, is asked to contact investigating officer Warrant Officer William van Schalkwyk on 044 803 9100 or 079 894 1589.
Alternatively, information could be shared via the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or the MySAPS app.
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