Update
PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - While South Africans united on Monday against farm murders across the country, Plettenberg Bay is grappling with its own rural attack.
Police are yet to arrest anyone following an early-morning attack on a farmer on the Avontuur Road outside the town.
Captain Marlene Pieterse said the incident happened on Sunday 22 October at about 03:45.
The farmer is said to have woken up to a glass door being broken. Two young men entered, but disappeared after the homeowner shouted at them.
They returned shortly thereafter, however, this time armed with machetes, and allegedly attacked the farmer who in the process of the scuffle, sustained wounds to his face and hands.
The suspects fled the scene with several items including a laptop and a cellphone.
Several members of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) searched the area and followed their trail to the N2 where it disappeared into Kwanokuthula.
“We have not made any arrests as yet, but the investigation into the matter continues,” said Pieterse.
In the meantime, PBCPA chair Bruce Richardson said that during the investigation it had been discovered that a neighbour had employed a large group of workers to do construction on his property.
“When approached by police, the neighbour was unable to provide the police with either the names or any identification or any other information concerning those she had invited onto her property,” Richardson said.
He added that failure to keep a record of all those employed was hampering the police investigation.
“As the PBCPA we very strongly urge all residents to refrain from employing and bringing onto their premises unknown persons, to rather engage with a known individual who you can rely on to engage with responsibly and noncriminal labourers, and always keep a detailed list of the names, IDs and residential addresses of all persons that you engage to carry out any work on your premises.
“Your lives and those of your neighbours may depend on you undertaking these precautions.”
A R2 000 reward is still available to anyone with information that leads to the arrest of the suspects.
Should anyone have information that could assist police in their investigation they can contact investigating officer Warrant Officer John Nomdoe on 044 501 1955.
• Several Garden Route residents joined the #BlackMonday campaign against farmers on Monday 30 October 30. The biggest gathering was in George, where about 400 vehicles took part in a peaceful protest that started at Checkers in York Street and ended at the Garden Route Mall.
Read a previous article: Plett farm attack - reward offered
ARTICLE: YOLANDÉ STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT
'We bring you the latest Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route news'
