Recorded Farm Attacks in October 2017 – South Africa

Tuesday, 31 October, 2017 (14h00) MURDER_ Willem van der Westhuizen shot and killed on a farm outside
Griekwastad (RIP). Suspect fled in Willem’s pickup, shortly after he was in an accident. The suspect was
detained (NC, Griekwastad, Farm) [Netwerk24, André Damons, 31 Oct 2017, 20:18]

Tuesday, 31 October, 2017 (12h00) MURDER_ Willie Barnard (55) attacked by suspects in the vicinity of
Jagersbosch outside Fochville. The farming community and Police responded to the incident and 2 suspects
were detained. Unfortunately, Willie passed away due to his injuries (GP, West Rand District, Merafong City,
Fochville, Jagersbosch) [Carletonville Herald, 31 Oct 2017]

Monday, 30 October, 2017 (10h00) MURDER_ Bokkie Potgieter (70) attacked and killed on the farm
Gelukstad outside Vryheid. The suspect fled in Bokkie’s pickup but crashed shortly after. Neighboring farm
workers started assaulting the suspect/s. The community and Police responded to the incident and there
are reports that the suspect may have been fatally injured during the assault (KZN, Zululand District,
Abaqulusi Municipality, Vryheid, Gelukstad, farm Driefontien) [Netwerk24, Jana Marx, 30 Oct 2017, 14:10]

Monday, 30 October, 2017 () MURDER_ Barry Baard shot and killed on the farm Daskop, outside Ficksburg.
Suspects tied Barry’s hands up behind his back and was shot three times. The farm workers found the victim
the following morning. Community and Police responded to the incident (FS, Thabo Mofutsanyane District,
Setsoto Municipality, Ficksburg, Farm) [Netwerk24, Alet Van Der Walt, 31 Oct 2017, 11:37]

Monday, 30 October, 2017 () MURDER_ A female farmer attacked and killed on Zoutpan farm outside
Albertinia (RIP). Community and Police responded to the incident and 1 suspect was detained (WC, Eden
District, Hessequa Municipality, Albertinia, Zoutpan Farm) [Netwerk24, Ügen Vos, 02 Nov 2017, 05:19]

Sunday, 29 October, 2017 (22h00) ROBBERY_ ATTEMPTED_ Pilcher family woken up by suspect/s
attempting to climb through the window. A shot was fire, and the suspect/s fled (FS, Thabo Mofutsanyane
District, Setsoto Municipality, Marquard, farm Wildebeeslaagte)

Thursday, 26 October, 2017 (23h00) ROBBERY_ Semele Martin, his wife and Troffel Ganare attacked by 4
suspects on a farm outside Vredefort. Semele sustained head injuries and a flesh wound. Suspects fled with
3 mobile phones and cash. Community and Police reacted to the incident (FS, Fezile Dabi District, Ngwathe
Municipality, Vredefort, farm) [Netwerk24, Alet van der Walt, 01 Nov 2017, 14:53]

Thursday, 26 October, 2017 (02h30) ROBBERY_ Female victim and daughters locked themselves in a room
after suspects shined torches into the house and knocked on the door. Suspects broke through the security
gate and gained entry to the residence before trying to force open the room door where they were hiding.
The victim’s brother, Mr. Steadman arrived on the scene after being alerted by his sister and the suspects
fled with a computer, a handbag, and two iPads (WC, Stellenbosch, Klapmuts, smallholding) [Netwerk24,
Jaco Marais en Nadine Theron, 26 Oct 2017 14:14]

Wednesday, 25 October, 2017 (08h21) ATTEMPTED_ROBBERY_ 6 Armed suspects attacked a farmer on a
farm in Roossenekal outside Groblerdal. Suspects fled on foot without stealing anything. Community and
Police reacted to the incident and 3 suspects were detained (LP, Sekhukhune District, Elias Motsoaledi
Municipality, Roossenekal, Farm) [Maroela Media, Landi Slatter, 26 Oct 2017]

Wednesday, 25 October, 2017 (08h21) ATTEMPTED_ROBBERY_ 6 Armed suspects attacked a farmer on a
farm in Roossenekal outside Groblerdal. Suspects fled on foot without stealing anything. Community and
Police reacted to the incident and 3 suspects were detained (LP, Sekhukhune District, Elias Motsoaledi
Municipality, Roossenekal, Farm) [Maroela Media, Landi Slatter, 26 Oct 2017]

Tuesday, 24 October, 2017 (01h30) MURDER_ Joubert Conradie shot on his farm outside Klapmuts. Joubert
passed away in hospital due to his injuries (WC, Cape Winelands District, Stellenbosch Municipality,
Klapmuts, farm Uitkyk) [Netwerk24, Andrea Kusel, 24 Oct 2017, 09:32]

Tuesday, 24 October, 2017 () MURDER_ Luke von Johnston (66) and John Ntimane shot and killed at the
farm gate by a 39 yo male. The suspect gave himself over to the Police a short while later and claimed that
he had acted in self-defense. Police are investigating the circumstance of the shooting (MP, Ehlanzeni
District, Umjindi Municipality, Lows Creek, farm Boondock) [Netwerk24, Jana Marx, 25 Oct 2017 05:45]

Monday, 23 October, 2017 (19h00) ATTEMPTED_ MURDER_ David Kreaynouw (65) attacked upon
returning home after putting out a fire at a plantation. Suspects opened fire on David and he sustained a
flesh wound to the head. David was able to get into the house and his wife alerted the community and
Police. Suspects fled and the Community and Police reacted to the incident. David was treated for a flesh
wound at home by the responding doctor (MP, Piet Retief) [Maroelamedia, Cyril Blackburn, 24 Oct 2017]

Monday, 23 October, 2017 (10h00) ROBBERY_ Alet Winddish (76) attacked by two suspects who gained
access to her residence on a smallholding in the Ondersterpoort area, Pretoria. Suspects stabbed Alet three
times in the shoulders. The Police and community reacted to the incident and Alet was moved to hospital
(GP, Pretoria, Onderstepoort, smallholding #76)

Sunday, 22 October, 2017 (21h00) ROBBERY_ 2 Female victims, a (09) yo boy, a (23) yo farm foreman and 3
farm workers attacked by 5 suspects on a farm in the Maartenshoop area outside Lydenburg. Suspects fled
with a cellphone. Community and Police reacted to the incident (MP, Ehlanzeni District, Thaba Chweu
Municipality, Lydenburg, Maartenshoop, Farm) [Maroela Media, Phillip Bruwer, 23 Oct 2017]

Sunday, 22 October, 2017 (15h00) MURDER_ Kyle Stols (22), a foreman on the Hatari Game Farm outside
Jagersfontein shot and killed by 4 suspects. Kyle was armed and checked to see why an alarm had been
activated. Suspects fled on foot without taking Kyles firearm, or any loot. The farming community and Police
responded to the incident (FS, Jagersfontein, Hatari Game Farm)

Sunday, 22 October, 2017 () ROBBERY_ TORTURE_ Mr. Hans Nothnagel and Mr. Frik Grobler attacked and
tied up by 4 suspects on a Elandsfontein smallholding outside De Deur. The suspects beat the pair, as well as
their dogs, before ransacking the residence. Suspects fled with mobile phones, TV, radio, jewelry, and other
household goods (GP, De Deur, Elandsfontein smallholding) [Vaalweekblad, Carla du Plessis, 23 Oct 2017,
13:46]

Friday, 20 October, 2017 () ATTEMPTED_MURDER_ David Streicher (74) shot upon returning home on a
farm outside Balfour. Suspects fled with David’s Nissan 1400 pick up, household goods and a firearm.
Community and Police reacted to the incident and David was moved to hospital (MP, Gert Sibande District,
Dipaleseng Municipality, Balfour, Farm) [Maroela Media, 23 Oct 2017]

Thursday, 19 October, 2017 (23h30) ATTEMPTED_ROBBERY_ Norman Douglas (42) attacked by a gang of 3
suspects. The dogs started barking at 23h30 and the Norman and his wife checked on the CCTV system to
see what was going on outside. Suspects were spotted, and a warning shot was fired. The suspects initially
fled, but returned and fired towards the house whereby Norman returned fire wounding 1 suspect. The
suspects fled again but abandoned their comrade along the way, and he was found deceased during the
follow up. 3 suspects arrested during the Police investigation (LP, Polokwane/ Pietersburg, Leeukuil
smallholding) [Netwerk24, Jeanne-Marié Versluis, 20 Oct 2017 14:15]

Thursday, 19 October, 2017 (09h00) ROBBERY_ Wilna van Rooyen (64) attacked by 4 suspects and hit over
the head with a metal pipe. Suspects fled on foot with 2 firearms and other household goods. Wilna was
taken up in St George Hospital (Jeffrysbaai, Thornhill, Gamtoos smallholding) [Netwerk24, Cara-Lee Dorfling,
19 Oct 2017, 16:32]

Wednesday, 18 October, 2017 (20h30) ROBBERY_ Lookout for a stolen brown Toyota with Reg# CVR 239 L.
Farm workers were reportedly attacked and tied up by 4 suspects who made off with the vehicle (LP,
Mopani District, Tzaneen Municipality, Haenertsburg, farm) [C]

Monday, 16 October, 2017 (08h30) ROBBERY_ Elderly male victim (71) attacked on his farm in the Blue
Water area outside East London. 4 Suspects entered the victim’s residence and threatened him with a knife
before assaulting him. Suspects fled with the victims White Isuzu pickup Reg# FWJ103EC, mobile phone, and
a pellet gun. The victim has been discharged from hospital (EC, East London, Blue Water, farm) [Netwerk24,
Candice Bezuidenhout, 16 Oct 2017, 18:22]

Saturday, 14 October, 2017 (10h00) ATTEMPTED_MURDER_ Victim shot and wounded by 5 suspects on a
farm in the Springs area, Gauteng. Lookout for a Gold 1989 Model Opel Kadett Reg# DXJ584GP (GP,
Ekurhuleni Municipality, Springs) [C]

Saturday, 14 October, 2017 (00h20) MURDER_ Mark Fagan attacked by 4 suspects who stormed into the
house armed with a mixture of knives and at least one firearm. Mark attempted to defend his family and
guests, and was shot by the suspects. Suspects fled on foot after the shooting and Mark passed away in
hospital (RIP) (WC, City of Cape Town, Philadelphia, farm) [Maroela Media, Phillip Bruwer, 15 Oct, 2017)

Friday, 13 October, 2017 (22h30) ATTEMPTED_ MURDER_ Cobus van Wyk (69) passed away due to a heart
attack whilst struggling with 3 suspects on a smallholding outside Potchefstroom. Community and Police
reacted to the incident, but the suspects had already escaped (NW, Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, Karl Marx
Municipality, Potchefstroom, Vyfhoek, Smallholding #) [Netwerk24, Ügen Vos]

Thursday, 12 October, 2017 () ROBBERY_ A (60) yo foreman attacked by 5 suspects on a farm near
Barberton. Suspects tied the victim’s hands behind his back with cable ties, and pointed a firearm at him.
The victim was left unharmed (MP, Ehlanzeni District, Umjindi Municipality, Barberton, Farm) [Lowvelder,
Tereasa Dias]

Monday, 09 October, 2017 (19h00) ATTEMPTED_MURDER_ Izak van der Merwe (52) attacked in the farm
shop by 4 suspects. Suspects beat Izak with a staff before tying him up and putting a plastic bag over his
head. Suspects stabbed Izak multiple times and said they were going to do the same to the rest of the
family. Izak was found by 2 workers who alerted the community and Police. Izak was moved to hospital and
is in a serious but stable condition. Cases of robbery and attempted murder are being investigated (WC,
Cape Winelands District, Witzenberg Municipality, Ceres, farm Welbedag) [Netwerk24, Charne Kemp]

Sunday, 08 October, 2017 (19h00) ROBBERY_ Kasha Potgieter (66) attacked by 2 suspects in her house on
the Du-Twa farm. The suspects took their time ransacking the residence before leaving. After leaving a
suspect returned and told Kasha he was going to rape her, whereupon his accomplice also returned and said
they should rather leave. Which they did (MP, Ehlanzeni District, Mbombela Municipality, Witrivier, Du-Twa
farm) [Netwerk24, Andrea Küsel]

Sunday, 08 October, 2017 (01h00) ATTEMPTED_ ROBBERY_ Neels Strydom (57) was woken up by his
barking dogs and discovered a suspect in his house. Neels fired at the suspect and wounded him. The
suspect fled with 3 others, but was later caught by responding farmers and Police. The other 3 suspects
managed to escape (FS, Lejweleputswa District, Tswelopele Municipality, Hoopstad, farm Winterson)
[Netwerk24, Alet van der Walt]

Tuesday, 03 October, 2017 () ATTEMPTED_MURDER_ 2 Farm workers attacked and shot on a farm outside
Gravelotte. The victims were moved to hospital. Suspects fled with a cellphone. Community and Police
reacted to the incident (LP, Mopani District, Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Gravelotte, Farm) [Netwerk24,
Ugen Vos]

Sunday, 01 October, 2017 () ROBBERY_ Hetta Beukes (72) attacked on her farm Langzeekoegat outside
Nigel. Hetta was tied up. Suspects fled with a computer, and Hetta’s cream Toyota Hilux pickup Reg#
BRT885GP (GP, Ekurhuleni Municipality, Nigel, Farm Langzeekoegat) [Netwerk24, Charne Kemp]