Delving into the past

This week, we take a look at the Advertiser’s September 28, 2001, edition.
• Take that, you bliksem
A cold stare, a kick in the groin and a stubborn calmness sent two potential hijackers running when a Dunnottar man refused to give up his car last week.
Thys Buitendag (51) was ready for just another day at the office last Thursday when he pulled his Toyota Corolla out of the garage.
However, when he got out of the car to close the door, he saw two men running across the road, demanding he hand over his keys.
Buitendag said he simply looked them in the eyes and defiantly threw his car keys on the roof of his house.
They then asked him for his cellphone and he deliberately slammed the car door.
Thinking that the car doors locked automatically, the robbers forgot both the car and the phone and one of them moved forward to attack Buitendag.
He was not going to be the victim in this situation and aimed a kick right into his attacker’s groin.
“I don’t know how hard I kicked him, but he stumbled backwards. When he lunged forward again I just pushed him,” said Buitendag.
The other attacker then showed his unrelenting ‘victim’ a pistol and told Buitendag that he was going to shoot him dead.
To this, the calm Buitendag replied, “Dan gaan ek jou dood bliksem.” (Then I will beat you to death).
The two robbers decided to cut their losses and fled the scene.
“I was extremely calm during the whole affair and never ceased to look them straight in the eyes,” he said, adding that this may have frayed their nerves.
• ‘Gentle giant teddy bear’ cheated out of life
A bullet from a robber’s gun stole the life of a Springs man last week.
Otto Hoffman (32) and his father Peter (56) were overpowered by six unidentified gunmen at a building site in Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria, on Friday morning.
The elder Hoffman resisted the attack and was shot in the hip.
His son was shot through the shoulder where the bullet penetrated both his lungs and heart, fatally wounding him. The attackers took cash and fled in a white Ford Courier.
Peter was taken to the hospital where his wound was treated. He is now at home recovering from the ordeal that took his son, business partner, and best friend’s life.
Otto’s wife, Tracy, four children and the entire family are still reeling from the shock of his sudden and tragic death.
Next Friday, a memorial service will be held in Botswana where Otto’s grandfather lives.
“Otto is going to be missed terribly by everyone who knew him,” says his sister, Karin.
The funeral was held on Thursday at the Springs Methodist church.
• Local boxers walk away with a dozen medals
The Freestyle Kickboxing Academy in Krugersrus won 12 medals at the national World Association of Kickboxing Championships at the Brakpan Indoor Sports Centre recently.
The club took home four gold, four silver and four bronze medals in both the musical forms and weapon categories.

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