RUSTENBURG HERALD – RUSTENBURG – In a horrific attack that could have been very different, the Van der Merwe family of Kruger Street, in early hours of Tuesday morning (at about 3am), showed two villains which marrow lies in their pipes. The family moved back to town only a week ago, after they also recently lived through an attack on their farm at Lindleyspoort. The homeowners, Sienie and her husband Hennie, woke up from a big scramble and screaming in the house, after their son, Henneman van der Merwe and daughter, Charné van der Merwe, caught a burglar in Charné’s room .

Charné did not stand back for trouble and fought back with all strength and power after throwing the blanket off her bed, over the burglar, and then the villain with the nearest “weapon”- her fists. According to the family’s version, there was a second offender in the house, who chose the exit path, when he realized that the Van der Merwe family would not stand back while in their own home. The first offender then brought out a knife and stabbed and stabbed Henneman and Charné in the chaos. Hennie, despite a recent back surgery and a brace he has to carry around his abdomen, also grabbed the attacker and the family could eventually overpower and capture him, after which they could contact the Community Policing Forum (CPF) for help. Police and ambulances were also called to the scene, but according to the family, the emergency services reaction time was not as desired and the situation was under control by the time these staff arrived. A case has been opened at the Rustenburg SAPS and is being investigated.

source:Rustenburg Herald – Gesin baklei hand en tand teen aanvallers (northwestnewspapers.co.za)