A brutal iron bar attack on a grandfather in his own home has left a family in the east traumatised.
The 82-year-old Frik Botha was able to call a friend for help, but was declared dead on arrival at the hospital on Saturday.
“This weekend we had to greet my grandfather in an inhumane way,” wrote his granddaughter Weané Bodenstein on Facebook.
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“Why torture him so that he had to die?”
Botha was attacked in his Garsfontein home around 11:00 on Saturday.
In a heartfelt message on Facebook, granddaughter, Bodenstein said she was distraught by the killing.
“We, as the family, cannot say that our grandfather died of natural causes, but rather, we have to use the disgusting words that my grandfather was murdered,” she said.
“We always hear of all the terrible murders around us, but we could never have imagined it was going to happen to my grandfather, an old and very good man.
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“The person [robber] did not want to hurt our grandfather, but kill him.
“My grandfather was very weak and surely would have let them carry the whole house empty without doing anything.”
Bodenstein also used the death to raise awareness.
“I want to say to anyone who is reading the message that it can happen to anyone, anytime. Do not get comfortable, because you are not even safe in your own home.”
She thanked the Garsfontein police for their prompt response.
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“The investigation is still underway and we trust the one responsible will be able to get what he deserves and righteousness will happen,” she said.
Police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller said the indications were that a robber hit Botha several times with an iron bar while he was on his bed.
Botha suffered injuries to his head and upper body. He died on arrival at the hospital.
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