Fanie Terblanche (62) and his wife Ina (59) were doing a training walk in the nature reserve on Sunday, when they were viciously attacked and robbed of their gear for an upcoming marathon hike.
“We were always told that Groenkloof is still safe to walk in, but we were skittish, especially after the last attack at the Voortrekker Monument,” said Fanie.
Ina added: “We were training for the Fish River Canyon Ultra Marathon, and had loaded our backpacks with everything we would take with on the marathon. This included our camping gear, cameras, sleeping bags, and everything we could need.”
The two were on a designated walking path, when they noticed something was amiss. They had just crossed the 3km mark when Ina heard a noise and looked behind her.
“I quickly turned around when I saw a man jump behind a bush next to the trail. I told Fanie what I saw, but we carried on.”
The two had walked for a few more metres when the man re-emerged from the bushes, and came walking up behind them.
The couple noticed this, and as they turned around a second assailant jumped from the bushes right next to them.
The two thugs then set upon the elderly couple, and started assaulting them.
One of them picked up a large rock and hurled it at the couple. The other one grabbed a stick and began hitting them. The first assailant threw another large rock that struck Fanie in the stomach.
Fanie and Ina were marched into the bushes, and forced to lie down.
