Award winning farmer Dr. Kobus Hendriks (66) and his wife Rika (67), was attacked in their home on Sunday in Heilbron, Free State. In 2012 Dr. Kobus Hendriks was named as the national master dairy farmer of the year by the Milk Producers’ Organization (MPO).
Hendricks, a retired veterinarian, sustained a few fractures to his jaw and his right hand was also broken. His wife was unharmed during the attack.
The Hendriks couple was watching television when three men entered their home at about 21:30. All three of the attackers were armed with firearms, while one also had a knife.
After the men took their cellphones and watches they were told to lie on the ground. The men tied their hands behind their backs.
“They hit Kobus with a gun and a chair over the head,” Mrs. Hendriks said last night.
They threatened to cut her throat if she didn’t show them where the safe was.
“I told them there is money in the room that I will give them, and they should leave us alone,” she said. Hendriks said.
In the bedroom, the attackers took rings, including Mrs. Hendriks’s engagement ring and her watch.
“They searched everywhere for a safe. At one point, an alarm went off in the house, they got startled, “she said. The men then left.
Mrs. Hendriks managed to open the front door and afterwards “she screamed loudly down the street for help”.
Passing motorists stopped and untied her hands, after which the police were called.
She said the neighbors quickly came to help and it is wonderful how many caring people live in the rural areas.
“Kobus’s eye is blue and he has a cracked rib,” she said, adding that she was relieved that they were not killed during the armed robbery.
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