Photo for illustration only. (Archive photo: Lorraine Claasen)
A farmer from the West Coast is currently fighting for his life after he was attacked by suspected cattle thieves between Elands Bay and Lamberts Bay on Thursday afternoon.
The man suffered serious head injuries and was later transported by emergency helicopter to a hospital in Cape Town for specialized treatment.
Three suspects have already been arrested, while police are still looking for other attackers who fled the scene.
According to Ian Cameron, DA MP and chairman of the parliamentary portfolio committee on police, the attack took place when the farmer apparently caught a group of people stealing sheep.
“A farmer was left in a critical condition today after he was brutally attacked when he confronted cattle thieves who were stealing sheep.
“According to information from the scene, he encountered a group of suspects during the attempted theft and he was attacked with knives, during which he suffered serious head injuries.”
West Coast Medical Rescue says their paramedics were called to a scene outside Lamberts Bay after receiving several calls for help.
“Paramedics from West Coast Medical Rescue responded after numerous calls were received about a farmer who had been brutally attacked. The patient was already treated at the scene by a local doctor while an ambulance was en route to provide further assistance.”
Paramedics attempted to further stabilize the patient upon their arrival at the scene.
“Upon arrival, paramedics continued to treat the patient. However, his condition deteriorated due to the serious head injuries he sustained.
“A decision was made to transport the patient for urgent specialized treatment by air to a specialized trauma center in Cape Town, after which Netcare 911’s emergency helicopter was called.”
The farmer was eventually flown to the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital.
“We would like to thank the local doctor and staff for the excellent care provided to the patient while paramedics were en route to the scene. Our thoughts are with the patient and his family at this difficult time.”
Cameron says the attack highlights how violent cattle rustling has become in rural areas.
“Livestock theft is an ongoing problem in the area and puts farming communities under tremendous pressure. These crimes are often well organized and violent and require a coordinated police response that includes rural security operations, intelligence-led investigations and proper prosecution of the syndicates behind livestock theft.”
Cameron says those responsible for the attack must be held to account.
“There must be accountability for those responsible. The remaining suspects must be apprehended and investigators must establish whether this attack is part of a larger cattle theft syndicate operating in the region.”
“My thoughts are with the farmer and his family as they go through this trauma. I hope he makes a full recovery.”