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20110328

Farmer Roy McGregor survives Sir Lowry’s Pass attack

Farmer Roy McGregor survives attack, Knorhoek, Sir Lowry's Pass village
March 22 2011 – As only became known eight days later, Cape farmer Roy McGregor was brutally beaten and left for dead at Knorhoek farm above Sir Lowry's Pass village near the N2 pass - a region which is being plagued by arsonists and attackers hiding in the mountains. Residents of estates on the Hottentots Holland mountains above Sir Lowry’s Pass Village reported a spate of arson attacks in the past fortnight. they are dismayed that culprit(s) are still on the lose. http://www.somersetwestcpf.org.za/node/502

McGregor Roy farmer left for dead Knorhoek SirLowryPass WC working on dam

McGregor lives at Firlands, outside Gordon’s Bay, but owns a farm at Knorhoek, on the slopes above the town. Eight days ago on March 14 2011, he was attacked on his farm while working with a bulldozer at the farm dam. He is recovering from his injuries. He says that he and other farmers and residents believe a dangerous criminal is to blame for the current spate of attacks and fires. (Crime statistics for Somerset West 2003_ 2009: http://www.somersetwestcpf.org.za/node/422#comment-102)

Fires started 'as a diversion to lure farmers from their homes'…
Another farmer, who asked not to be named, reported three separate fires over the past fortnight. He believed these were started 'as a diversion to lure farmers away from their homes so their homes could be broken into and robbed.' Residents say the police’s initial response included the deployment of the “K9” sniffer dog unit, an expert police tracker, a helicopter and special forces – notably the police’s elite Special Task Force. Yet nobody has been arrested.  McGregor said he was "begging police to renew their efforts before more victims were attacked."

No physical description of attacker provided:

“At about 5.50pm on Monday evening, I had been at Knorhoek Portion 10, waiting for my bulldozer to warm up. “I saw this guy walking towards me very casually, as if he was coming to ask me a question. I asked him what he was doing there, and he attacked me,” McGregor said. He does not remember the attack, but at some point lost consciousness.When he woke, he was covered with blood. (He did not provide an exact physical description of 'this guy', alas). “I had been left for dead. I ran and hid in a bush, then ran and hid, every 100m.” He was eventually found by a friend, who had been due to meet him, and was taken to Vergelegen Medi-Clinic in Somerset West. He remained there for two days, being treated for lacerations to his face and ears and damage to his skull and sinuses. His Toyota 4x4 had also been found: bearing signs of a bizarre attack in which attempts were made the open his petrol cap; the windows were smashed and seats inside the vehicle were torched. “The police have to do something. This community is living in fear,” McGregor said.  Another farmer, in charge of security for the Knorhoek area, confirmed several attacks and fires – and the police’s unsuccessful investigations thus far. Somerset West police referred all queries to the provincial police authorities, who said today they were “gathering information” and promised to respond to the Cape Argus’s queries. They had not done so by the time of going to press. http://www.somersetwestcpf.org.za/node/502

image http://www.somersetwestcpf.org.za/node/502