A well-known farmer from Delmas in Mpumalanga, who has been attacked on his farm seven times the past few years, defended him and his wife from eight attackers on February 22, 2015 during daytime.
Wykie Berg (65) and his wife Hannetjie (63), family of the actor and presenter Hykie Berg, were unhurt after the attack. However, they mourned three beloved dogs poisoned shortly before the attack.
Berg said on February 25, 2015 to Maroela Media that he and his wife originally thought they were barking for the turkeys, so I listened to the church service before I went to investigate,” he said.
Berg had his 9mm pistol with him and when he looked from the bedroom window, he saw one of the dogs’ carcasses and immediately became suspicious.
“I went back to my wife and said “there is big trouble.” After seven previous attacks our house is very secure, and one can only gain access through the kitchen door. I stood at the kitchen door and closed the security door and pretended I was calling the dogs and farm animals. When I pushed open the door, war broke loose.”
Berg said eight suspects opened fire on him, and he fired back at the attackers until his magazine with eight rounds was empty.
“They fire about 16 shots at me before running away. It looked like one of them was wounded, because he had difficulty running, “he explains.
Berg secured himself and his wife in their home and called for help. The police and farmers of the region were soon on the scene and searched the area but could not find the attackers.
Berg described his pets, Missie, Ounooi and Wagter, as loving dogs. “The attack was not as bad for me as when I had to bury the dogs’”, he said. “They were poisoned with a terrible poison. We do not know exactly what it is, but it is not Temic, which is used in most dog poisonings. “He said the dogs were dead within a minute after they had ingested the poison.
Lorraine Claasen, criminologist and researcher at AfriForum, told Maroela Media dogs are particularly vulnerable in small-holding areas because it is easy for suspects to gain access to the dogs to poison them.
“Poisoned food is casted over the wall or fence to eliminate the threat of the dogs,” Claasen said. “It also indicates that the properties are being watched for days or weeks before an attack.”
She said this method is used to make it as easy as possible for attackers to commit crimes.
The police are investigating a case of attempted murder. No one has been arrested in connection with the incident.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
