Noordhoek Beach Peace Walk After Attack on Austrian Tourists (Who WILL Visit SA Again)

Noordhoek residents will be staging a walk for peace on Noordhoek Beach Sunday evening, following the brutal attack on Austrian holidaymakers – Klaus (63) and Johanna (68) Michl – who had been enjoying a wonderful holiday in South Africa up to that point.

The couple was taking a walk on Noordhoek Beach in the Western Cape on Thursday afternoon, 30 November 2017, when a man with a knife – who had been hiding in the bushes – attacked and stabbed them multiple times, before stealing their belongings.

The couple sustained major injuries – Joanna was stabbed in the neck, and Klaus suffered a deep intestinal wound. They both had to be hospitalised and undergo surgery.

Neighbourhood Watch member Penny Van Zyl told SAPeople: “We, as a very close community in Noordhoek are devastated by the horrific attack on Mr and Mrs Michl, and other muggings that have taken place over the last month or two.

“We are gathering at the car park at the beach tomorrow, and will walk as a community – with peace and harmony in our hearts. This is not a protest walk, it is a PEACE WALK – to show the strength, love and togetherness within our community.

“And as a community, we will stand together to ensure our beach is safe once again, to be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike,” she says.

Together with a fellow Neighbourhood Watch member, Penny has visited and spent time with Klaus and Johanna in hospital.

“They are recuperating from their horrific injuries and remain positive – they have had a wonderful holiday here in South Africa and this absolutely shocking incident has not broken their spirit… They are an inspiration…”

Penny says it was thanks to the support and quick reaction from a surfer who had his cell phone with him, and a woman walking her dogs (who was amazing) that the Austrian tourists were able to walk to safety and be taken to hospital.

“Klaus and Johanna – our community sends you love and are outraged by this incident. Not only are the attacks on the beach compromising our very much needed income brought in by tourists, plus, more importantly, compromising their safety and security… but it also puts us as the local community at risk.

We are taking back our beach, and our safety…

“Our beach is not safe any more… and this is going to change. We are taking back our beach, and our safety…

“Sadly, if you walk your dog on the beach without a permit, you will be fined… there are Sanparks Officials at the car park checking on permits – they should be tackling crime before fining residents who walk with their dogs – not only for their dogs to have a great time in the water, but they also add a measure of security.”

Penny says Klaus and Johanna are doing well and remain incredible positive.

“They are keen to visit South Africa again, but will be more cautious in future about walking alone on the beach… I so admire their spirit.”

The BRING PEACE BACK TO OUR BEACH walk, at Noordhoek Beach, begins on Sunday 10 December at 18h00.