Groenkloof assault: From hero to zero

Update

GEORGE NEWS - "He didn't save me, he nearly cost me my life."

These were the words of Jutta Heidemann (73), a resident of the Groenkloof Woods retirement village, nearly two weeks after she was mercilessly attacked in her home in the complex.

According to Heidemann the security guard that reportedly saved her life, had actually misinterpreted the situation to such an extent that she feels lucky to be alive.

She relived the events of that fateful evening during an exclusive interview with the George Herald this week.

The assault
Heidemann was attacked when she surprised an intruder in her house after taking her cat for a walk on Monday evening 7 August at approximately 17:30. The suspect hit her over the head, shoulders, ribs, wrists and face with a heavy antique rifle, a collector's item she kept in her bedroom. He demanded money, her flat-screen TV, laptop and DSTV decoder. After robbing and assaulting Heidemann, the suspect forced her into the driver's seat of her car and demanded she drives him out of the complex.

"He said I must drive him to Knysna Road where he would let me go and he would take the car," she said.

At the gate
"Leaving the complex, the gate opens automatically. Halfway through the gate I stopped the car and opened my window. The guard came out of the guard house and saw I was covered in blood. He asked what had happened, but before I could answer the suspect answered him in an African language. They had a short conversation, after which I asked the guard whether he was going to help me. The guard said "no" because the man who was with me said he works for me and will help me to get to hospital," she said.

According to Heidemann the guard didn't confirm the suspect's employment with her or whether she was really on her way to the hospital. He also didn't call for help.

Heidemann then got out of the car. The suspect also got out and said, "Let's go, let's go to the hospital now." Heidemann refused.

She said while they were standing at the gate her neighbours returned home in their vehicle and stopped to see what was going on. "As the husband who was driving got out of his car and came toward us, the suspect fled inside the complex and disappeared. My neighbour immediately gave chase, but the security guard only ran in the direction in which my attacker disappeared a few moments later," she said.

This incident sparked fear in many of the other elderly and fragile residents in the complex. "We were never scared before, but now we are. We are concerned about the security of this place," a resident said.

No one has been arrested, but the police released an identikit of a suspect wanted in connection with the house robbery and assault on Heidemann.

After the incident Heidemann was taken to George Hospital by ambulance. The next day she was admitted to Groenkloof's own care unit, from where she was discharged last Friday. Heidemann is currently recovering at home with the help of a friend from Mossel Bay.

Jan Pienaar commented on behalf of Groenkloof management saying: "We sincerely sympathise with Mrs Heidemann, members of the Groenkloof community and others affected by the incident.

Groenkloof refrains from disclosing our detailed multiple and intrinsic security measures in the media as this can affect the safety of our residents.

The safety of every Groenklower is extremely important to us and therefore a combination of security measures are in place. A security guard is stationed at each entrance gate and Suiderkruis Security's George offices are also on Groenkloof's premises. This puts us at the forefront to handle security issues and ensure quick response times."

At the time of going to print no comment was received from Suiderkruis Security.

Do you know this man? The suspect wanted in connection with the attack on Jutta Heidemann in her house in the Groenkloof Woods retirement village 2 weeks ago.