RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - The community is reeling in anger and frustration after a couple was attacked at the Donkerhoek Cemetery on Sunday, 3 November between noon and 13:00.
In what is unfortunately not the first incident of its kind at this particular cemetery, a male suspect with tall and slender built attacked a husband and wife (who wish to remain anonymous) with an Okapi knife.
According to the youngest brother of the male victim, the incident took place just inside the main entrance of the cemetery - the gate on the right-hand side. The couple was visiting the graves of family members when the robbery and attack took place.
The husband and wife were viciously stabbed and thrown with bricks during the robbery and are currently in Life Peglerae Hospital, still undergoing operations and recovering from their wounds.
The male victim underwent an operation on Tuesday afternoon to reconstruct a finger that was severely injured in the attack. His left foot also had to be operated on after the skin peeled off when it was scraped on the ground in an effort to veer off the attacker. The woman's brown handbag and cellphone was robbed during the incident.
Upon their arrival at Peglerae, the couple was immediately gurneyed off to two separate operating rooms in an effort to stop the extreme bleeding of their wounds. Both sustained serious injuries on their faces and arms and had to get several stitches.
"My brother immediately contacted his son after the attack to inform him of the robbery. The son then called me to let me know of the events and I relayed the news to the rest of the family. I will visit on the weekend to help with anything that I can, as I reside in the Free State," the brother of the male victim informed Rustenburg Herald.
The male victim managed to drive their bloodied VW Polo to their son's house who then drove the couple to hospital. The perpetrator allegedly fled in direction of Olympia Park stadium. According to a WhatsApp message that was circulated after the incident, the attacker's description and modus operandi matches that of a perpetrator that has been involved in other, similar attacks.
The family of the victims has requested anyone with information or anyone who might have seen the suspect in the aftermath of the attack to come forward with information.
"The attack is shocking and the family will not rest until the perpetrator has been apprehended," commented the male victim's brother. "I want to send out an urgent request to any member of public who might have been an eyewitness to contact me. Maybe someone has photos or videos that can help us find the attacker or attackers. We want justice to prevail and the perpetrator to be brought to book."
The suspect was wearing a red and brown striped shirt and a beige chino/denim during the time of the attack. He was also wearing a cap of unknown colour and spoke English in a South African accent.
A case of attempted murder has been registered with the South African Police Service.
Anyone with information on the attack - contact the victim's brother on 082 629 1568.
