Goosen family survives farm attack, Harmonie

Goosen family survives farm-attack hell:

Sunday, Jan 30 2011 – ‘A peaceful Sunday erupted into a nightmare-hell for a Boer family in Harmonie. Six armed (black) men ambushed the three-member  Goosen family and two farm youths as they had stopped to open a farm-gate. The hijacked family was forced to drive to the homestead. Upon arrival, the thugs shot dead three of the family dogs, tied up the couple, Gideon and Elana Goosen. They fled with cellphones, cash, weapons, a laptop computer and groceries which were already in the family car.

‘Try not to be a hero…’ Gideon Goosen managed to escape to raise the alarm. Their car was found abandoned in the Ofcolaco region but the police are still searching for the six black male suspects.  Elana Goosen told the Letaba Herald afterwards that they are grateful for their survival: and she also added a few tip on ‘How To Survive A Farm Attack’:  ‘one should always remain calm. Don’t speak too loudly, avoid sudden movements. Avoid eye-contact, do everything you are ordered to do.’ Above all: ‘try not to be a hero because it could cost you your life.’

The Goosen family said they were deeply grateful for all the help they received from the local community: Arne and Deborah Verster, Anneri and Ben Vorster; they thank Bennie Osmers and Conrad Krüger for the use of their helicopters to try and find the armed militia-gang. They thanked Pieter Vorster and Johan Gubitz for searching the entire region personally to try and locate the attackers. They thanked the SAPS of Gravelotte, Maake and Phalaborwa, and SAPS Organised Crime Unit members. Rev Barry van der Merwe and Hannes Roos also received their grateful thanks, as does Johan Van Wyk of Toyota for use of the venicle. “The family thanks everyone in Ofcolaco, Trichardsdal and Letsitele who helped search, all the friends who were not named and all those who have sent and phoned in support-messages.” source: Letaba Herald, Friday 4 Feb 2011: ' Giep Goosen and family Harmony Block Letsitele Limpopo. http://www.facebook.com/pages/116752351671946#!/photo.php?fbid=1714753482015&set=a.1492603488404.61381.1633532465