Another nature reserve attack
Elderly couple tied up, beaten, and robbed while hiking in nature reserve.
An elderly couple was tied up, beaten, and robbed in the on Sunday afternoon, the third such attack in recent weeks.
Fanie Terblanche (62) and his wife Ina (59) were doing a training walk in the nature reserve on Sunday, when they were viciously attacked and robbed of their gear for an upcoming marathon hike.
“We were always told that Groenkloof is still safe to walk in, but we were skittish, especially after the last attack at the Voortrekker Monument,” said Fanie.
Ina added: “We were training for the Fish River Canyon Ultra Marathon, and had loaded our backpacks with everything we would take with on the marathon. This included our camping gear, cameras, sleeping bags, and everything we could need.”
The two were on a designated walking path, when they noticed something was amiss. They had just crossed the 3km mark when Ina heard a noise and looked behind her.
“I quickly turned around when I saw a man jump behind a bush next to the trail. I told Fanie what I saw, but we carried on.”
The two had walked for a few more metres when the man re-emerged from the bushes, and came walking up behind them.
The couple noticed this, and as they turned around a second assailant jumped from the bushes right next to them.
The two thugs then set upon the elderly couple, and started assaulting them.
One of them picked up a large rock and hurled it at the couple. The other one grabbed a stick and began hitting them. The first assailant threw another large rock that struck Fanie in the stomach.
Fanie and Ina were marched into the bushes, and forced to lie down.
“The two men then began undressing us, taking off our shoes, and removing the laces. The took our belts and used the belts and laces to tie us up,” said Fanie.
“It was so tight that it started cutting off the flow of blood to our hands and feet. At one stage they started making sexual remarks about Ina, and I was scared that they would rape her.”
The attackers then set upon destroying their backpacks as they picked their loot. They also took the couple’s prescription glasses and Fanie’s wedding ring.
“The two of them looked nervous during the whole episode. In the end, after tying us together, they ran off,” said Fanie.
The two managed to get free, and stumbled on the rocky hiking trail, walking with only socks to cover their feet. Upon arriving at the 4×4 trail, a man stopped and helped them get back to the entrance of the reserve, where they received assistance.
“They entire event has been very traumatic. We will definitely go for counselling to help up get through what had happened,” said the two.
The Tshwane metro said steps had been taken to improve security in the reserve. It said the two attackers had a clear modus operandi.
“They have a getaway car standing at R21, close to Fountains circle or Botha Avenue, depending on which location they are going to rob,” said metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.
“After robbing someone, they run along the fence where their car is parked, jump over and disappear. They tie up their victims to give themselves ample time to get out before the alarm could be raised.”
He said the metro‘s nature conservator had acted to beef up security at the reserve.
“The managers have been requested to assist victims of crime more by taking them to the nearest police station to open a case. The nature conservation is not a security force. They only try their best to keep these reserves safe by patrolling and engaging with any vagrants on these areas.”
This attack comes shortly after two cyclists were tied up, beaten and robbed at the Voortrekker Monument on separate occasions.
It was not clear whether the attacks were related.
Also read: Danish cyclist attacked and robbed at Voortrekker Monument
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