An elderly couple, who were attacked on their farm outside Delportshoop in the Northern Cape on Valentine’s Day, are still severely traumatized and hurt after being assaulted and tied up for the night.
Chris Hattingh, 79, and his wife, Polla, 77 were the victims of the attack.
This is the second time they have been the victims of a farm attack.
Chris says they were also attacked in their home in December 2018.
In the current attack, the robbers took R2 000 from Polla’s wallet and handbag and also bank cards. The couple was forced to provide their PIN. Their cell phones were also taken.
On Valentine’s Day, their power suddenly went down and they felt it was simply load shedding – little knowing that the power was “turned off” at a pole near the house.
With the key, Polla was already on his way out of the security door when a man came out and asked to borrow a candle.
According to Polla, the man said they were visiting farm workers and it was dark because of load shedding.
She went inside to fetch a candle and left the key in the security door.
The next moment, three men with knives made their appearance, kicking, striking and strangling her. They forced her from room to room and demanded money, she says.
Chris has been disabled for years after a car accident in which his neck and spinal cord were injured. He is dependent on her for all movements.
Polla says he was thrown from the bed, strangled on the floor and kicked in his ribs. He was stabbed three times with a knife and cut to his arms and legs.
Eventually, the robbers took R2 000 from Polla’s wallet and handbag and also bank cards. The couple was forced to provide their PIN. Their cell phones were also taken.
Chris then had to explain how his new Ford Ranger works as the attackers were unable to drive it. The couple was tied with electrical wires on either side of the bed.
Chris says they kept praying because he couldn’t fight back because of his condition and his wife was also defenseless.
By morning, Chris was able to get a worker’s attention, who managed to call the police and his grandson.
Police arrived at the scene swiftly.
Several thousands of rands were withdrawn from the couple’s bank account. It has been reported that the robbers are still at large.
