Well Known KZN Farmer Tragically Killed Near Ballito

A well-known elderly couple were subjected to a night of horror, when they were attacked in their farmhouse, De Mist, in Glendale Heights 40 minutes outside of Ballito, in South Africa, on Friday evening.

Alpha Security area manager Rex Hunt struggled to repeat the details of the terrible tragedy that unfolded at St Martin sugar estate where Bob Gawler was killed by his attackers.

“It is a horrible story. At around 6pm yesterday evening four men kicked the front door down and entered the house.

“Gawler was attacked and beaten, before being shot in the stomach.

“His wife, Denise was on bed rest after an op, but heard her husband moaning. The men tied her to her bed,” said Hunt.

“They ransacked the house, stole everything they could including their Toyota Hilux and two fire arms and broke everything else.”

Unable to call for help, the couple were only found this morning at around 9am.

“A family member tried to phone the house. When no one answered, the domestic worker was contacted. She went over to the house with her husband and saw the gate was open and the cars were gone. Too scared to enter the house, she called a neighbour, who made the horrific discovery.”

IPSS Medical Rescue’s Dylan Meyrick said the paramedics declared Bob dead on their arrival.

“The cause of death is believed to be a gunshot wound to his stomach. If he had received medical attention last night, he could perhaps still be alive,” said Meyrick.

Besides being found dehydrated and traumatised, Denise seemed to not have been harmed.

At the time of publishing, Glendale police communications officer Sergeant Nhlaliyenza Mahlobo said they were on their way to Molweni, Durban where the tracker in the Hilux was last spotted.

This article by Elana Geist has been republished from NorthCoastCourier.co.za with kind permission.