Pensioner attacked with panga, wife fights off robbers on Mpumalanga farm

The Citizen

17-05-2025

Pensioner attacked with panga, wife fights off robbers on Mpumalanga farm
A 73-year-old pensioner narrowly escaped with his life after a brutal attack that left him with severe head trauma.
According to Lowvelder, Jan Jurgens (74) and his wife, Antoinette (72), live on a farm along the Uitkyk Road. On Monday at around 18:45, Jan was in a storeroom fetching animal feed when at least two robbers attacked him.
Among other injuries, he was hacked with a panga and repeatedly struck in the face and on the head with a rock.
His farm dogs rushed to defend him, but the attackers turned on them as well, slashing at them with the panga.
One of the dogs, a Labrador, suffered deep lacerations and is still being treated at a local veterinary clinic.
'The assault was so severe that my father lost consciousness,' his son, Jannie, told Lowvelder.
The robbers tied Jan's hands and feet with shoelaces.
'Every time he regained consciousness, they would either kick him or jump on him,' Jannie said.
Antoinette was not at home at the time.
'When Mum arrived home at around 19:00, the two men attacked her as well. However, she fought them off and managed to lock herself in the house,' Jannie explained.
She called for help and staff living on the farm rushed to her aid. The assailants fled the scene on foot.
When the first responders, including Theo Laas and his reaction officers from ACS Spartan Security, arrived at the farm, they initially could not locate Jan. He was later found unconscious in the storeroom.
'He was severely injured and struggling to breathe due to the trauma to his face. One of the residents of Renosterkop Valley rushed him to a hospital,' Jannie said.
Jannie, who rushed home from Pretoria upon hearing of the attack, expressed his appreciation for the quick response and support from Renosterkop Valley residents.
The means of access to the property remains a mystery, as the family have security fencing and electric gates around their homes, as well as large dogs.
Michael Horn of K9-DTC Security on Claremont Road, along with his tracking dog, Charlie, was among the first responders.
'I was very impressed with the leadership role he played during the incident,' Jannie said.
K9-DTC deployed five dogs to assist in tracking the suspects. Handler Billy Deacon, with his dog Diesel, picked up a clear trail but lost it when the suspects crossed a stream.
Although tracks were found, no suspects were located. A panga, possibly used in the attack, and a beanie were recovered.
The police launched a manhunt on Tuesday to track down the suspects. 'The police showed real determination in their efforts. At one point, about 20 officers were on the scene, including a brigadier and senior officials,' Jannie remarked.
Despite the trauma, Jan remains in high spirits. A delicate orbital reconstruction operation to repair his broken eye sockets and facial bones was done on Thursday.
Mediclinic Nelspruit spokesperson Liza Pillay confirmed that Jan is in a stable condition.
Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed that police are investigating a case of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The suspects stole an HP laptop, a cellphone, and a handbag containing bank cards and an ID.
Anyone with information that may assist in locating the suspects is urged to contact Colonel Thami Mkhaliphi on 082 469 2431.
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