Residents outside the court on Lamberts Bay. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
The three suspected cattle thieves who overtook and brutally assaulted a West Coast farmer last week briefly appeared in the Circuit Court in Lamberts Bay on Monday.
Clive Boois (27) and Marlon Booysen (25) stand trial on charges of attempted murder, aggravated robbery and livestock theft. Anthony Storm (28) is facing a charge of livestock theft.
Many farmers in the area as well as Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape MEC for agriculture and economic development, gathered in front of the court and peacefully demanded that the accused be denied bail.
Also read: West Coast farmer stable after brutal attack
Hugo Louw is also a famous musician and storyteller known as Hugo Droogte. (Photo: Provided)
The state claims that Hugo Louw, a farmer (and musician and storyteller known as Hugo Droogte) from the Lambertsbaai area, gave Boois and Booysen a ride on the R365 on Thursday when the two allegedly overtook him.
Louw apparently confronted the two about what was in the plastic bag they had with them. It turned out to be a sheep that had been slaughtered and packed in the plastic bag.
The men then allegedly overpowered Louw with a sharp steel pipe.
Residents gathered peacefully outside the court. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
A passer-by came across Louw shortly after the incident and immediately Dr. Johan Hayes, who has been practicing as a medical doctor in this town for decades, called for his help. According to Hayes, Louw suffered serious head injuries in the attack and two of his fingers were broken.
Hayes says Louw was fully aware of what happened at the scene, but could not see due to his injuries. He realized that an ambulance was going to take too long and he took Louw to his consulting room.
Also read: West Coast farmer fights for life after cattle thieves attack him
Many residents, as well as Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape MEC for agriculture, attended the court proceedings. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
Meanwhile, Hayes stitched up Louw’s head wounds, called a helicopter and Hugo was transferred to the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital in Cape Town where he has already undergone two operations.
“I gave him a drip in my consulting room and noticed the obvious fractures on his right hand. His head was smashed and I could see he had damage to his cheekbone. The wounds on his hands and arms are a clear sign that he tried to stop them from hitting him over the head,” says Hayes.
Boois and Booysen were arrested shortly after the incident, with bloody clothes, in a forest. They apparently told the police that Storm was also involved in alleged livestock theft on the night before the incident. Louw’s phone was also found in the accused’s possession.
Residents gathered peacefully outside the court. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
The court heard on Monday that the suspects have cases pending against them. They are not going to apply for bail at this stage.
The case was adjourned until May for further investigation. A recognition parade has yet to be held.
Maroela Media has meanwhile learned that cattle theft incidents have increased drastically in the past few months. According to a farmer in the area, the suspected way of working of these three suspects can be linked to previous livestock theft incidents.
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Marlon Booysen. (Photo: Provided)
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Clive Boois. (Photo: Provided)
Agri Western Cape also submitted a memorandum to the court and demanded, among other things, that the state reject Boois, Booysen and Storm’s application for bail, should they consider submitting an application.
JD Strydom, the CEO of Agri Western Cape, says in the memorandum that the suspicion exists that the accused will evade their trial if their bail is contested.
(Photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)
He argues that the release of the accused could undermine public order and the peace and security of the rural community.
“The attack on Hugo caused widespread shock, anger and anxiety among members of the community. The fact that he (Louw) was violently assaulted and left for dead increased the emotional impact of the incident. Rural communities often feel vulnerable due to their geographic isolation and limited access to immediate law enforcement support,” the memorandum reads.
Hayes describes Louw as a gentle man who “would not get involved in a violent confrontation”.