SA couple attacked by group in Zim

2012-09-10 09:06

Gerhard van der Westhuizen (Beeld)

Johannesburg - A couple from Nigel have been seriously injured during a brutal assault by a group of men in Zimbabwe.

Long-distance truck driver Gerhard van der Westhuizen, 58, was last week driving his truck with his wife Minnie, 55, when they decided to take a break outside Bulawayo, reported Beeld.

The couple’s son, GC said four men had come “out of nowhere” and assaulted his parents with pangas and tar poles.

They managed to fight off the attackers and get help, after which they were flown to South Africa for medical treatment.

Gerhard was in a medically induced coma and Minnie was recovering from several stab wounds.
“We suspect that the group of men wanted to rob them or maybe take the truck.”

His father’s wallet and driver’s licence and his mom’s jewellery were stolen.

His father had sustained a skull fracture, bleeding on the brain, a broken right arm and bruising to his back from where he was dragged across the road.

“My parents are very religious people and we just want to ask that people pray to the Lord and ask for a miracle because my parents are really going through a very difficult time,” said GC.

- News24