Daniel Johannes Rudolph van Vuuren

Daniel “Daantjie” van Vuuren (1955 – 1998)

Brief overview:

Daniel (47), was attacked on the farm Wilgerpoort in the district of Balfour, early on the morning of 16th January. At least four attackers stormed into the farmstead armed with firearms and knives. Van Vuuren was up already, although his family were still in bed. When he saw the attackers he ran to the bedroom where van Zyl was and tried to close the door. The attackers managed to push open the door. The woman grabbed her child and ran to another room and locked the door. The attackers then shot Van Vuuren dead.

They kicked open the other door, and the one with a knife stabbed Van Zyl in the shoulder and demanded money. She gave him the money but was stabbed again. She then went to her mother’s room where she gave them R300. They demanded the keys to the safe in the room, whereupon she unlocked the safe. They took a rifle and revolver. They also demanded money from Pieterse and slapped her through the face. They took Van Zyl out and demanded more money, and when she said there was no more she was stabbed again and hit over the head with the firearm. She was stabbed again and her hands tied with the telephone wire.

A domestic worker, Pauline Maseko heard the shots and informed the other employees. They went to a neighbour, one De Wet, who armed himself and went to Wilgerpoort. He also summoned other farmers in the area by radio and also requested them to get the police.

Also see: Lehlohonolo Abraham Zondo

Brief Biography:

• Other Victims/Family
  • Johanna van Zyl (33), her young child and her mother, Johanna Pieterse (80), also lived on the farm. Johanna was stabbed repeatedly and Pieterse assaulted.
• Funeral/Memorial
• The Farm/Smallholding
• The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)

Attack Details:

• Date and time of attack
  • 6th January 1998, at about 07:00
• Weapons
• Items Stolen
  • The attackers stole cash, a rifle, a revolver, watches and other valuables before fleeing in the direction of the kraals on the farm.
• Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
• Torture, Gratuitous violence
• Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.

Perpetrator details:

• Number and Descriptions
• Arrests
• Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s
• Country of origin of Perpetrator/s
• Trial/Conviction

Additional Biographical Information:

• Identity Number : 5005075165088
• Official cause of death : Unnatural causes

Comments by the "Committee of Inquiry into Farm Attacks", 2003:

• The case is especially noteworthy for the fact that so many people died: the farmer, one police official and three robbers.
• During an interview with the Committee the investigating officer described the scene as ‘absolutely chaotic’. More than two hundred rounds of ammunition had been fired. The attentiveness of the employees and the quick reaction time of the farmers, police and commando are noteworthy.
• There are indications that one of the attackers was shot after he had been arrested. This is the subject of a formal judicial inquest at present. Because of the large number of people involved it will be difficult to establish exactly what happened.
• The prosecuting state advocate is of the opinion the motive for the attack was purely robbery. This is confirmed by the investigating officer.

Links to Media articles:

• https://africacheck.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Final-Report-Com...
• https://web.archive.org/web/20071012091652/http://www.matriots.com/...
• https://www.facebook.com/VFplus/posts/10152590096474453
• https://www.yumpu.com/nl/document/read/4451339/laai-af-die-lys-van-...
• https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0UlqSM-_mwDNWJlZmMxNmYtNGMwMS00Yz...
• https://archive.is/SZWMX
• https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000189090980831