André de Koning (66), his wife, Linda (64), and their three small grand children were attacked by two armed attackers on Wednesday September 30, 2015, on their farm outside Cullinan.
“We can only be thankful that we live. Things could have gone so wrong. When those shots went off, I just prayed to God to help me now.” These words were said by André on Thursday to Maroela Media.
André said he was busy on the farm at about 15:00 when he got a call from the housekeeper which he could not answer in time. “It was weird because she never calls me. I called my wife and when she did not answer, I knew something was wrong.”
He and two of his grandchildren who were with him went to the house where he saw his third grandchild, a boy of six, standing at the gate. “He looked at me with such big eyes and said, ‘Grandpa, there are men with guns in the house’,” André said.
He instructed his grandchildren to hide behind a wall at the pool, and with his pistol, which he always carries with him, went into the house.
The moment he walked in, one of the attackers fired a shot in his direction.
André, as well as the attackers, hid behind objects and a shootout occurred.
“A shot hit one of the attackers in the head and the other attacker ran up the stairs. I chased him, but there were no bullets left in my gun.
I grabbed my shotgun on the top floor,” André said.
The attacker ran down the stairs and fled. André quickly informed the local security group through a Whatsapp message and then called the police.
A short while afterwards, the attacker was arrested and taken into custody.
The other attacker was declared dead at the scene.
Linda had to get stitches to her head after the attackers beat her with their guns in her face. She also sustained severe bruises.
She later said that she and their grandchild were in the home when the attackers invaded. They held the gun to the boy’s head and threatened to shoot him if Linda would not open the safe.
She promised to hand over the safe keys if they let her grandson out of the house and they agreed. Shortly thereafter André arrived at the house.
“People need to know that you must protect yourself. No one else will do it,” André said. “That’s why I am never without my gun. You always hear about these things, but you never think it can happen to you.”
He said he, Linda and the children will all go for counseling.
“I can only thank the Lord that we are save. It was a very traumatic experience, but in a way it is good because it reminds us that we must cling to our faith. Even though things are bad, we must persevere in our struggle and trust that He will protect us.”
Captain Sarah Mcira, police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and told Maroela Media a case of robbery and murder is under investigation. The suspect will appear in court Friday October 2, 2015.
Source – Maroela Media
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