Suspect shot and killed during Amersfoort farm attack
According to further reports, the family discovered a small side gate they use to enter the home was locked. As they were exiting the vehicle, the suspects came running towards them. It is believed the men opened fire at the vehicle.
Sunday, December 21 will be a day one Amersfoort family will never forget.
At approximately 5.30pm, Kerneels and Tanya Beukes along with their teenage daughter and her friend arrived home at Rolfontein Farm, 18 kilometers from Amersfoort.
Unbeknown to the family, six men were lying in wait as they pulled up to the house. It is believed the men had spent the entire day at the farm, as they had stripped a bakkie allegedly to remove the tracking device.
According to further reports, the family discovered a small side gate they use to enter the home was locked. As they were exiting the vehicle, the suspects came running towards them. It is believed the men opened fire at the vehicle.
Fortunately, no one was injured in this initial onslaught. Mr Beukes and his daughter managed to escape, while Mrs Beukes and the other teenage girl were captured and taken inside the house.
While running, Mr Beukes managed to call other local farmers from his cellphone. His daughter ran a distance of nearly two kilometers to evade the men chasing her.
Three of the six suspects who remained at the home got far more than they bargained for when Mrs Beukes allegedly got hold of her firearm and attempted to fight back. She was overpowered and the pistol was taken.
It is believed a shootout later ensued between the attackers and local farmers who came to the aid of the victims. One suspect was injured and another fatally wounded.
Jan van Loggerenberg, a paramedic with Life Care Rescue, was one of the first on scene.
“The female victim sustained a laceration to her face beneath her eye,” he said. “She was treated on scene.”
Reportedly the injured suspect was handed over to police on scene, as his injuries did not warrant any further treatment.
Captain Braam Robberts of the Amersfoort Police confirmed the arrest of one suspect, and the death of another while the other men were still at large.
“We are currently investigating a case of house robbery and murder,” he said. “We have arrested one suspect who will appear in the Amersfoort Magistrate’s Court.”
He also confirmed that one suspect was shot and killed, but the identity of the shooter had not yet been made clear.
“The farmer was not armed. We are currently investigating the incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.”
The suspects took two cellphones, cash and the pistol registered to Mrs Beukes. It is believed four suspects are still on the run.
“I would like to thank everyone who has assisted us so far,” concluded Captain Robberts.
ER24 Newcastle was contacted to provide medical assistance.
“I received a request from Emergency Control SA to dispatch emergency services to the scene,” said ER24 Newcastle spokesperson, Jan-Henk van Vuuren. “Life Care Rescue, an ER24 service provider, was dispatched.”
In October last year, police commissioner Riah Phiyega told a commission probing the State’s policy on responses to farm attacks that the number of incidents relating to farm attacks was registering a “progressive”.
The number of farm attacks fell from 71 murders and 665 incidents in the 2010/2011 financial year, to 58 murders and 492 incidents in the 2013/2014 period.
