LIMPOPO. – Johan van Eck (72), ‘n bejaarde boer, is Saterdagoggend tydens ‘n gewelddadige plaasaanval met kapmesse op die plaas Carpe Diem naby Trichardsdal, in die Mopani-distrik ernstig beseer.
Volgens André Moss, Vryheisfront Plus-leier in die provinsie, sê Van Eck is Saterdagoggend in die badkamer van sy woning deur twee onbekende mans met messe aangeval. Hy was glo besig om te verhuis en het teruggekeer om sy laaste besittings in te laai toe die voorval plaasgevind het. Die aanvallers het hom na bewering van sowat R5 000 kontant beroof voordat hulle gevlug het. Van Eck het verskeie steek- en snywonde opgedoen en is na ’n private hospitaal in Hoedspruit gehaas waar hy opgeneem is. Nog geen inhegtenisnemings is gemaak nie.
Ian Cameron, voorsitter van die portefeuljekomitee oor polisie, sê die plaasbestuurder het kort daarna opgedaag en hulp ontbied. Lede van plaaswagstrukture in Hoedspruit en Ofcolaco het hulle saam met die polisie na die misdaadtoneel gehaas. Spoorsnyspanne met honde het die verdagtes se spoor tot in die Lorraine-woongebied gevolg, waar dit verlore geraak het.
Die saak word ondersoek en geen arrestasies is nog gemaak nie. Die VF Plus het sy medelye met Van Eck en sy familie uitgespreek. Nuusflits het polisiekommentaar gevra.
Lees die volledige verklaring van die VF Plus hier onder:
Limpopo farm attack: Elderly man criticized after brutal attack at Trichardsdal
The VF Plus is shocked about the brutal farm attack on Mr Johan van Eck (76) Saturday morning on the farm Carpe Diem near Trichardsdal in the Maruleng local municipality (Hoedspruit, Trichardsdal, Ofcolaco).
Two unknown assailants attacked Mr. Van Eck with cutting knives in the bathroom of his residence. According to preliminary information, he was moving and returned to load up his last belongings. He had R5 000 cash with him to pay workers, but the attackers robbed him of the money before fleeing.
Mr. Van Eck fought back bravely, but suffered multiple stabbing and cut wounds to his head, arms and back.
The farm manager discovered him shortly after and offered emergency aid. The Hoedspruit Farm Guard, Ofcolaco Farm Guard and the Police responded quickly to the scene.
Mr Van Eck has been admitted in a critical condition in the Hoedspruit Private Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.
The VF Plus councillor and regional convener, Pieter Gerber, who himself is part of the farm guard structures, has closely monitored the situation and is in close contact with role players on the scene.
Farm watch members followed the suspects’ tracks into the Lorraine residential area with track shearing dogs, where it sadly died.
The case is currently being investigated and detectives, criminal intelligence and a detection team are involved to capture the suspects as quickly as possible. Valuable clues from the Lorraine community could soon lead to arrests.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that rural communities can never lose their vigilance.
The nature and timing of the attack shows that criminals often strike when people least expect it. Continued preparedness, collaboration between farm guard structures and the community, as well as a visible police presence, remain essential to protect the safety of residents.
The VF Plus expresses its deepest condolences to Mr Van Eck and his family in this traumatic time and wish him a speedy and complete recovery.
– André Moss, VF Plus-LPW and provincial leader: Limpopo
