Gert van Wyk, the son of a previous President of Agri Gauteng, was wounded in the attack and is in a serious condition in the intensive care unit of a Kempton Park hospital. The farm manager’s name was withheld until his next of kin have been notified. The attackers escaped with an unknown amout of money and household goods.
Frans van den Bergh, President of Agri Gauteng said: “We are distressed about the events that unfolded yesterday on this peaceful farm where the farmer and his workers were busy producing food for our country’s people. This cowardly act borders on sabotaging an industry that provides many work opportunities and economic prosperity in rural areas.”
Van den Bergh, who also served as the Chairperson of Agri Bapsfontein expressed his appreciation towards the police from both Welbekend as well as Olifantfontein who reacted swiftly in attending the crime scene. “We are looking to the police to professionally investigate this horrendous crime and to bring the perpetrators of these callous deeds to court to answer for these crimes. We call on any person who knows these perpetrators or who have information regarding this crime to come forward and provide it to the police,” Van den Bergh requested.
The recent spate of farm murders has caused growing distress within the farming community, which was insisting that effective steps be taken to bring an end to these crimes. “We urgently call on the Provincial Police Commissioner of Gauteng to take all necessary steps to implement the Rural Safety Strategy in the province as we believe that this Strategy, accompanied by the rural protection component which accompanies it, can make a big difference in combating rural crime,” said Van den Bergh.
