Jacobus Grobler

Jacobus "Koos" Grobler (1947 - 2011)

Brief overview:

Koos (64), was beaten to death. Bludgeoned with spanners and pipes. and found dead on his rented farmstead on Henley farm, Letsitele, around 30 kilometers from Tzaneen. on 3rd July 2011.

The retired boilermaker was hit so hard with an iron bar on his farm in Limpopo province, that his one ear was nearly torn off.

The blood soaked body of Koos Grobler was discovered, after he was murdered on Sunday night.

Henk Grobler, his son, said his his head was crushed. "I can't understand why the old people are being murdered so brutally? "Why can't the attackers just take what they want and leave the people alone?" Mr. Grobler wanted to know.

According to Grobler jr., the intruders apparently gained access through the bathroom window. "I spoke with my dad on Sunday night and there were no problems"

Friends of Grobler Snr. could not reach him on his cellphone on Monday. They became worried and went to his house the day before yesterday. His body was found next to his bed. The murderers took a small amount of cash and took his car. They crashed the car 2 kilometers down the road and then fled.

Grobler, who was also know as "Koos Kettie" built the house on the banks of the Letaba River and stayed there for roughly the last 8 years. He did odd jobs in the area. He was divorced and stayed alone.

"He never bothered anyone and helped a lot of people" said his son. He had to go identify his fathers body yesterday. "It wasn't a pretty sight."

Mrs. Lita Fourie, head of the Tabita help organization for victims of farm attacks said these attacks are happening nation wide. Fourie, who is also involved in the White Cross monument next to the N1-freeway near Polokwane where crosses are erected for people murdered in farm attacks said "Uncle Kettie will now also be getting his a cross on the hill"

Brief Biography:

• Other Victims/Family
• Funeral/Memorial
• The Farm/Smallholding
• The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)

Attack Details:

• Date and time of attack
• Weapons
• Items Stolen
• Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
• Torture, Gratuitous violence
• Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.

Perpetrator details:

• Number and Descriptions
• Arrests
  • Lt.Col. Ronel Otto, provincial police spokeswoman, said that 3 men were arrested in connection with the murder
• Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s
• Country of origin of Perpetrator/s
• Trial/Conviction
  • The suspected murderers were to appear in the magistrates court in Tzaneen.

Additional Biographical Information:

Links to Media articles:

• http://archive.fo/QivXP
• https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000194554165829

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