PROMINENT Zululand conservationist and farmer Peter-John Hassard returned home in good spirits on Friday, exactly four months after he was shot by a gang on his Hluhluwe farm.
Left for dead in the early hours of the morning, the 42-year-old Hluhluwe cattle farmer miraculously survived a near fatal stomach wound, with the single bullet passing through his liver. Phoning his wife Carika seconds after the shooting, the father of three was found lying helplessly in his car outside their doctor’s gates about five kilometres from the family farm. He was then rushed to Netcare The Bay Hospital, where he spent the past four months being treated.
Speaking to the Zululand Observer shortly after his discharge, Carika said her husband was happy to be home, reunited with their nine-year-old daughter and six-year-old twin sons. ‘We are just grateful that he is alive, well and strong. ‘It’s been a hard few months but we wish to thank the local community, doctors at the hospital and ICU staff, who have just been amazing,’ Carika said.
Hassard came under attack at about 5am on 21 May when he investigated screams coming from his farmworkers’ compound, where workers were being robbed by a gang of armed men. However, Hassard was stopped by gang members before he could reach the compound, a scuffle ensued and he was subsequently shot in the stomach. The thugs fled with cellphones and electrical appliances belonging to the farmworkers. No arrests have been made to date.
Peter-John is the son of past president of the KZN Rugby Union, Peter Hassard. The family started Silvasands Safaris, a hunting outfitting company and Peter-John has since been involved in several wildlife conservation, anti-crime and community projects.
Peter Hassard told the Zululand Observer on Friday that his son still faced a lengthy rehabilitation period. ‘He has lost a lot of muscle and weight and will have to report for regular medical check-ups but we expect him to return to full speed in about six months’ time. He just needs to take it slow and rest.
‘The community has just been phenomenal and it was unbelievable how they generously responded to the call to donate blood earlier this year,’ added Peter Hassard.
FRIDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
AFTER four months at Netcare The Bay hospital following the shooting which nearly claimed his life, local farmer and conservationist PJ Hassard checked out of the ward with the best wishes of Sr Natalie Branford and surgeon Pieter van Rooyen.
