Hugo Louw, also known as Hugo Droogte. (Photo: Facebook)
Hugo Louw, the farmer from the West Coast who was brutally overrun by suspected cattle thieves on Thursday, is in a stable condition in hospital.
“He is showing progress,” Brian Nieuwoudt, a longtime friend of Louw, told Maroela Media on Saturday.
Nieuwoudt has not seen Louw himself since the attack. But as he understands, his friend has since regained consciousness in the hospital. “But it seems to me that this is only the beginning of a long road (of recovery),” Nieuwoudt said on Saturday.
Louw was attacked on Thursday between Elandsbaai and Lambertsbaai when he caught suspected cattle thieves in the act while they were slaughtering sheep in broad daylight. The attack took place around 11:55 on the R365 road.
Louw suffered serious head injuries in the attack.
“They attacked him and tried to kill him. They probably thought he was dead,” says Nieuwoudt.
Louw was transported by emergency helicopter to a hospital in Cape Town for specialized treatment after the attack.
Three suspects were arrested shortly afterwards.
Capt. FC van Wyk, spokesperson for the police, says the police spotted the suspects in the woods while Louw was taken to hospital. The suspects hid in the bushes after the brutal attack.
“The suspects had blood stains on their clothes and near the scene a slaughtered sheep was found hidden in the bushes.”
Van Wyk says three suspects have been arrested and will soon appear in court on charges of attempted murder and livestock theft.
A real West Coast klong
Niewoudt says that Louw is not only a farmer, but is also known as a musician and storyteller. “Hugo loves to entertain people. A real West Coast klang. He won’t hurt anyone.
“I am very angry,” Niewoudt admitted on Saturday. “Everyone I’ve spoken to about the attack so far says it’s enough – a line must be drawn…Criminals no longer have any respect for life.”