Update
GEORGE NEWS - After a spate of violent attacks on farms across George, it would seem that rural George is no longer the safe haven and paradise that visitors and residents have become accustomed to.
In the most recent incident on a farm near Madiba Drive (old Saasveld road) a 37-year-old man, Ruan Hechter, was shot and killed.
According to provincial police spokesperson Lt Col Malcolm Pojie, it is alleged that two unknown men, one armed with a firearm and a knife, accosted the deceased's wife in her room and asked who else was in the house.
They also allegedly demanded money, cellphones and keys to the safe.
Both suspects wore balaclavas. "They also ransacked the room of the couple's elderly parents (aged 72 and 61)," Pojie said.
"Meanwhile the deceased entered the room and a scuffle ensued with the armed suspect. A shot went off and the deceased was hit in the face. He was declared dead on the scene." The suspects fled the scene with a Lenovo laptop, a maroon bag and two cellphones.
On Monday night, 3 July, two men (both 42) from Parkdene were arrested on charges of possession of stolen goods after the laptop and two cellphones stolen during the robbery, were found in their possession. In spite of the arrests, Pojie said the hunt for the murderers continues.
Ruan Hechter and his wife Karen.
Family distraught
With George Herald's visit to Hechter's wife Karen, her mother Monica Diedericks and stepfather Tim Duke-Jackson, who shared the house with the couple, they were still in a state of deep shock as they were all trying to come to terms with what had happened the previous night.
Heidi Naudé, a trauma volunteer from the George Community Policing Forum (CPF), who is assisting the family during this traumatic time, said incidents like these are not the victims' fault and they shouldn't blame themselves.
"It's not anything they did wrong that caused this. This is simply a tragic coincidence of circumstances. Right now it is very important for the community of George to take hands to secure all areas. A safe house is a safe street, is a safe neighborhood," she said.
She also thanked AfriForum that used funds from their victim fund to pay for the clean-up of the murder scene.
Hechter leaves behind his parents, two sisters, a brother and his wife Karen.
A shocked Diedericks was still at a loss for words on Monday afternoon, but said it is important that fellow residents of George know about the incident in order to protect themselves.
She also felt it important to celebrate Hechter's life and pay tribute to her son-in-law who saved not only her life, but that of her daughter and her husband as well. "He had such a good heart. I don't understand why this had to happen," said Diedericks.
Duke-Jackson described Hechter as very kind. "He sacrificed his life to save us. We will never ever forget that. I still can't believe what happened. It's all very unreal to us," he said.
Due to her emotional state and trauma, Karen could not give any comment at this stage.
No funeral arrangements were confirmed by the time of going to print.
Anyone with information relating to the murder or the whereabouts of the perpetrators is asked to contact the George Detectives on 044 803 4715 of Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
George Herald tried to reach out to Hechter's parents via the family spokesperson, but they could unfortunately not be reached for comment at this stage.
Previous incidents
Sunday's incident was not an isolated one. On Friday last week, 30 June, George Herald also reported about an incident that happened on a farm near the R102 where a couple was attacked inside their house by four armed men.
Mere days later, Hechter was killed.
Besides the two most recent incidents, there have been six other similar incidents in the area since October 2022. Although the incidents can't be linked to each other at this stage, they allegedly have the same modus operandi.
The first attack took place in Hoekwil. Following that, a couple on a farm outside Herold's Bay were tied up with shoelaces and held hostage for three-and-a-half hours in January this year while their house was being ransacked by four suspects.
The husband faked a heart attack while his wife handed the suspects whatever they wanted. Three of the suspects were wearing balaclavas and they were armed with a crowbar, a gun and a stick. They demanded guns, keys to the safe, money and jewellery.
After that, the same farm in Hoekwil was struck again, after which two robberies followed in the Great Brak area and one in Glentana.
The police did not respond to a question about the above incidents being related and about the possibility of a syndicate of some sorts rearing its ugly head in our area.
Violent attacks condemned
In a statement issued by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Mayor Memory Booysen says they condemn all forms of crime.
"We are deeply troubled by violent murders that continue to take place in our region and beyond. I strongly denounce such senseless acts and call upon the South African Police Services to ensure that the perpetrators face the full force of the law," said Booysen.
In a WhatsApp voice note by the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture Ivan Meyer, he expresses his extreme concern surrounding the recent violent farm attacks in George and the Southern Cape.
"My cabinet colleague, Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen, and I met immediately and will soon release further information. In the meantime the police are busy with their investigation and we must arrest the criminals and ensure prosecution.
"The safety of our farmers, producers and farm workers is a top priority for me and we will do everything to make the guilty pay for their cruel acts. In the meantime, I request the farmers to please increase their farm security and work with their farm and neighborhood watches to ensure their safety," said Meyer.
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