Two guests injured in panga attack at Chamonix Wine Farm in Franschhoek
Image: Facebook
Two guests in their sixties are recovering after a panga attack and robbery at Chamonix Wine Farm in Franschhoek.
Police are appealing for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. It is the second incident in less than eight weeks, after two people were attacked on a private farm in June along the R45 in Franschhoek and escaped with minor to moderate injuries. In the latest incident, which took place on August 2, three masked suspects entered the premises and attacked the two victims in their sixties with a panga and fled with undisclosed items.
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, said: 'Anyone with information about this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App. Information will be treated as highly confidential.'
Jacobus MacFarlane, Freedom Front Plus PR councillor for the Stellenbosch Municipality and council member for Pniël and Franschhoek, took to social media where he asked the public to be vigilant.
'On behalf of my constituency, I want to express our strongest condemnation of this senseless act of violence. Incidents such as these not only harm innocent people but also shake the sense of security in our broader community and our tourism sector, which is so vital to our region.
'Please remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity, and support our local safety structures. Rural safety requires a united front between our community, SAPS, and private security partners. This attack is an attack on our peace-loving community, and we will not tolerate it. I call on all of us to work together to ensure that such acts do not define who we are,' said MacFarlane.
Two guests in their sixties are recovering after a panga attack and robbery at Chamonix Wine Farm in Franschhoek.
Image: File
Management of the establishment said: 'On the morning of Saturday, August 2, two of our guests were attacked in one of our guest houses.
This is of great concern to Chamonix Estate, as well as the greater Franschhoek and Winelands community.
As soon as we became aware of the attack, we deployed all relevant security to assist. The injured guests were stabilised by the paramedics and transferred to a nearby hospital. The one victim had to undergo surgery. Both victims have since been released from hospital. We have been in communication with the family and we are offering any assistance and support they might require.
'As a hospitality venue catering to visitors from around the world, security has always received top priority and various security providers are contracted by us.
This includes armed patrols by canine units, tactical support, and drone surveillance in addition to alarms and cameras.
Somehow the perpetrators entered the property undetected, leading to this regrettable event of senseless violence.
The only relief is that the victims came away with their lives, and it is our wish that the SAPS and necessary parties continue their investigation.
'We wish the victims a speedy recovery and, as mentioned, are offering constant moral and material support.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
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