On 25 May an armed response officer was dispatched to an alarm activation on a farm in Westerdale, Durbanville just before 19H00.
Officer Van Eck arrived at the premises and started to investigate where the problem might be. He was busy turning a corner when he heard a noise behind him, he turned around and saw three suspects that were already almost on him.
The suspects were hiding in bushes and scrubs close by when the officer arrived. They attacked him with a metal pipe and knives leaving him with several cuts to his hands and body, a serious head and back injury.
The three suspects kept on attacking the officer in a frenzy to get to his firearm. Officer Van Eck managed to defend and retain his firearm but was not able to fire at the suspects.
Two of the suspects were reported to be coloured males and the third an African man. One of the suspects kept on shouting at his accomplices in Afrikaans “maak hom dood” (Kill him).
The attackers eventually left the officer lying next to the building before fleeing towards the mountain. Officer Van Eck managed to contact Bassett Alarms central and requested back-up to his location.
District Bassett Armed Response personnel, Durbanville SAPS members and NHW members were all informed and were on the scene within minutes to assist. ER 24 paramedics arrived a short while later and took the officer to Durbanville Medi-Clinic for treatment.
Durbanville SAPS members are currently investigating the attack and will follow up on all leads to catch the suspects.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
