SEVEN would-be attackers, between the ages of 20 and 45, were in for a surprise when they attempted to invade the farm of Gertman Janse Van Rensburg on the morning of August 19.
In what turned out to be a miraculous twist of fate, Mr Janse Van Rensburg was not home at the time of the attack, a crucial circumstance of which the invaders were unaware.
The intruders allegedly began their attack by hiding out in the storeroom where the animal feed was kept.
When one of the workers entered the room to collect feed for the cattle, the attackers seized him at gunpoint and tied him up. They also managed to capture and tie up another of the workers, reassuring them that, if they behaved, no harm would come to them as they were not the intended target, but they wanted the farm owner.
One of the workers managed to escape and fled in the direction of the farmhouse. It is believed that the gang of miscreants assumed that the worker would alert the farmer of the attack. In this case, their assumption was correct, as the worker phoned Mr Janse Van Rensburg, who alerted the authorities of the onslaught. Believing that they had lost the element of surprise, they attempted to flee the scene of the intended crime.
Farm Watch and Vryheid SAPS arrived promptly at the scene and a gun battle ensued, after one of the armed assailants opened fire, leaving one suspect dead and one injured. The other intruders fled the scene, but were later captured with the help of the Vryheid K9 Unit.
Three unlicensed firearms were recovered and charges of armed robbery and attempted murder will be investigated. An inquest has been opened into the killing of the robber. The remaining suspects will appear in Vryheid Magistrate’s Court.
“Ons is dankbaar dat ons Here en Hemelse Vader ons beskerm en bewaar.” said Mr Janse Van Rensburg, when asked of the incident.
