Crime fighters in the Overstrand are convinced that a crime syndicate operating from the Cape Metropole is responsible for the horrific attack on a couple in Onrus that claimed the life of well-known businessman Herman Pretorius.
Two attackers reportedly surprised Herman (76) and his wife Hettie (70) in their home in Beyers Street, Onrus, at around midnight last Tuesday, tied them up and mercilessly assaulted the couple to the extent that they both had to be admitted to hospital – Herman to the ICU with critical head injuries and his wife with broken ribs and extensive injuries to her face.
Herman passed away on Thursday 5 September at around 17:30 surrounded by his family, including his wife Hettie. She was discharged on Monday and will be living with a relative.
The couple’s son Stephan Pretorius stated he is convinced that the attackers were highly organised and had scoped out the area beforehand.
“It was definitely planned. The properties around my parents’ home are all holiday houses, except for one across the road.”
It is believed the criminals gained entry by removing a window panel. They then tied up the defenceless Herman in his bedroom. Hettie was surprised by the attackers when she went to bed after watching TV in another room.
“My parents repeatedly told the attackers to take whatever they wanted. It’s heartbreaking to think they assaulted my dad so badly because he walked with crutches and wouldn’t have been able to defend himself. They even removed his wedding ring from his finger.”
The robbers made off with jewellery, cash and the couple’s white double-cab Toyota with the registration number CEM 80.
The seriously injured couple lay for hours in their blood-soaked bed until their domestic worker, who lives in a apartment separate from the house, discovered them the next morning. Upon his arrival at the house, Stephan found paramedics and a doctor fighting to stabilise his father before transporting him to hospital.
“Their hands and feet were tied so tightly that my sister had to use scissors to free them. It seems almost unreal because the house is in a very quiet and safe area. Everyone is shocked by what happened and feel unsafe. We even got extra security.”
Eddie Holloway, deputy chair of Onrus Vermont Neighbour-hood Watch (OnVerWag), also expressed the view that the attack seemed “targeted”.
“The attack on the Pretorius couple in the safety of their own home did not only traumatise and shock the residents of Onrus but also filled the broader Hermanus community with horror. Such violent house robberies are very rare in our area and previous incidents of such a nature across the Overberg were the work of criminal groupings from the Cape Metropole, probably because they see us as ‘soft targets’,” Holloway stated.
Lourens Theron of AfriForum Alfa Neighbourhood Watch reiterated the sentiment and stated: “I want to reassure the community by saying it is my honest opinion that the robbers are not locals but are part of a syndicate of Ovambos operating from Philippi East. Crime in the greater Hermanus area is under control and this seems to be an isolated incident.”
He added he is confident that the police will apprehend the suspects soon. Colonel Gustav Tamboer, commander of Hermanus police, confirmed the attack occurred between midnight and 04:00 on Wednesday 4 September and two suspects were involved.
He added: “Both victims were tied up and assaulted with blunt objects. The domestic worker discovered the victims and called for help. The male victim was seriously injured and was transported to Hermanus Mediclinic, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday 5 September at 17:30. His wife sustained facial injuries.”
The Pretorius family, said Stephan, is devastated by the loss. “My dad was such a large part of our lives. He was our role model and was always there for us. He also left a mark in the woodwork industry.”
Pretorius’ funeral will take place on Saturday 14 September at 11:00 at the NG kerk Hermanus.
Tamboer confirmed on Monday that the stolen vehicle hadn’t been recovered yet and that no arrests had been made.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
