Calls Again for Crime to Fall After Christmas Attack in SA
HERTZOGVILLE – Calls for crime to fall in South Africa were repeated today as news came that a couple was seriously assaulted on their farm in Hertzogville, in the Free State, late on Christmas evening. Some reports claimed that the attacks were solely to “terrorize” the farmers and that nothing was stolen. However, according to OFM News, […]
HERTZOGVILLE – Calls for crime to fall in South Africa were repeated today as news came that a couple was seriously assaulted on their farm in Hertzogville, in the Free State, late on Christmas evening.
Some reports claimed that the attacks were solely to “terrorize” the farmers and that nothing was stolen.
However, according to OFM News, police said that two hand guns were stolen during the incident which took place between 21h00 and 23h00 on Christmas Day.
South African Police Services (SAPS) media liaison officer, Stephen Thakeng, told OFM that two men attacked a male victim, Mr Kaiser, on the farm and forced him into the house where they then assaulted his wife. The perpetrators were reportedly armed and used a knobkerrie during the assaults.
Thakeng said: “They were badly assaulted and two hand guns were taken, and a bakkie together with them.”
The attackers then allegedly kidnapped the victims and drove them to Dealesville where they were left on the side of the road. According to other reports, Mrs Kaiser managed to escape earlier by jumping out of the moving bakkie. The vehicle was later discovered abandoned.
Several graphic photos of the injured couple in hospital were shared on social media on Boxing Day, and although there were some racist comments from both sides, the overwhelming majority of South Africans said this was about crime, not race, and called for an end to violent crime in SA.
DJ and composer Komane Kpxclusive Komane reacted to the photos, saying: “I’m deeply saddened by what I see. We need to take a stand and protect our senior citizens. I don’t care if they white or black. They are our elders. Our government has failed us in so many ways.”
After reading several similar comments, one Facebook user John Hiepner wrote: “Wow, i would just like to say, after reading all these comments i do have hope for us as a nation and country going forward, thank you South Africans!!!!!!”
Yusuf Abramjee, director of Crime Stoppers International (CSI), also shared the photos on Twitter, and reiterated #CrimeMustFall.
No arrests have yet been made.
https://twitter.com/Abramjee/status/813433983371452416