Horror Attack at South African Nature Reserve Hluleka Makes World News
News of a pregnant young mum in South Africa who was stabbed to death in her bed whilst on holiday has made headlines around the world from Australia to the UK, whilst back home some social media users have been asking why this has not made bigger news locally. Karen Turner (31) was asleep at […]
News of a pregnant young mum in South Africa who was stabbed to death in her bed whilst on holiday has made headlines around the world from Australia to the UK, whilst back home some social media users have been asking why this has not made bigger news locally. Karen Turner (31) was asleep at the Hluleka Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape, with her husband Matthew (33) and their toddler son Hayden, when the nightmare took place at 3am on Tuesday morning.
The Turners had rented a self-contained holiday chalet overlooking the beach at the Wild Coast reserve, alongside some friends. They were on their way to a wedding, and stopped off for a few days to have a break and celebrate Karen’s 31st birthday the day before the tragedy.
Matthew, who reportedly survived multiple stab wounds to his stomach, told his brother-in-law he saw two knife-wielding intruders – one who attacked Karen, whilst the other attacked him.
He then managed to chase both who fled before they could steal anything.
Police spokesperson Captain Dineo Koena confirmed a 31-year-old woman was murdered in the early hours of Tuesday and that her husband received serious knife wounds to the stomach.
Karen’s older brother Ian Crouch told News24 that he had spoken to his brother-in-law when he came out of life-saving surgery after being airlifted unconscious to Pietermaritzburg Hospital. Matthew is currently in a stable condition in ICU.
Crouch told News24: ”Matthew’s recollection was that he was woken up by being stabbed in the stomach by a guy on his side of the bed and there was another chap stabbing my sister (who was screaming).
“He said he managed to sort of grab the guy and there was a tussle down the stairs” he said.
Crouch flew in a friend’s helicopter to the scene which he described as a “blood bath”, arriving before the police, and said the balcony door was open and the windows on latches as it was a hot night and that is why there was no forced entry.
He confirmed it appeared nothing had been stolen and their mobiles were by their bed.
Timber merchant Crouch also confirmed his sister, who taught as a locum at Underberg Primary School in their home town in KwaZulu-Natal province, was about three months pregnant.
Initial reports in South Africa, with headlines saying “no forced entry”, insinuated there had been a domestic dispute, but the family has strongly denied this, saying that the confusion was caused by presumptions made after their friends next door reported hearing a commotion. But it was the attack they heard and upon banging on the door, Matthew opened it, covered in blood, before collapsing.
Crouch has alleged the resort may be trying to frame Matthew. Crouch told The Witness newspaper: “I saw the staff from the resort all gathered together.
“A woman was talking and said she had been told by ‘Vuyani’ to say there was no staff at the resort after 11pm and no staff before 7am” and that there had been a domestic dispute.
Private Investigator Rick Crouch said: “If media reports that the Hluleka Nature Reserve on the Wild Coast and a person by the name “Vuyani”, coincidentally the same name as the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) CEO Vuyani Dayimani, allegedly attempted to push a narrative that the murder on their property was due to a domestic dispute, they should be boycotted and those involved in pushing the narrative should be charged. It is absolutely disgusting that anyone would do that.”
Matthew’s brother-in-law dismissed the speculation saying the attackers “didn’t have time to take anything because (Matthew) chased them out” and said “I am very close to them. We spend a lot of time with them. There is no way that domestic violence is even a possibility.
The Turners lived in Underberg where they had just bought a home together on the dairy farm that Matthew manages. They had been married in July 2017 and Hayden was born four months later.
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency CEO Vuyani Dayimani said: “The two guests were booked in from Monday to Thursday and police were called after a stabbing incident…
“As an agency who manage the reserve we are shocked that this has taken place in one of our flagship coastal reserves as the safety and security of our guests is our key priority.”
PS: If you’re an SA EXPAT living in the UK OR IRELAND – we’d like to hear your opinions on South Africa. Pls take part in this SURVEY: http://bit.ly/SAExpatSurveyUK We’re keen to hear ALL opinions!!! And 10 people stand the chance of each winning £100 in Amazon vouchers! Please tell friends and family. TY!!