Kimberley – A well-known harvester from Tadcaster, near Hartswater, was killed during the early hours of Saturday morning by an unknown number of suspects.
Petrus “Piet” Jacobs was found dead inside his house by his son, Klein Piet, at about 6:30am on Saturday morning and the details surrounding the incident are still unclear.
Klein Piet, who lived with his father, said that he was out the night before the incident.
“I went out, but my father and I normally call each other during the early morning when I am not home. I received a call from his phone but the person on the other end hung up when I answered my phone. I then called back but my father’s cellphone was on voicemail. I rushed home and found him dead,” he said.
Friends and neighbours were all shocked and came to pay their condolences and to support Klein Piet.
A family friend, Gerhard Bontheuys, described the deceased as a hard-working man.
“Uncle Piet has been harvesting since the age of 16. I knew him since a very young age. They used to stay on the farm next to ours before they moved. He was a legendary harvester who was contracted by several farmers in the vicinity. At the age of 79, he was still very fit and active. He did his work with such passion and precision. He also maintained and serviced all the machinery and tractors which were used for harvesting. His death is such a great loss and he has died with all his knowledge,” said Bontheuys.
Bontheuys added that it is the second incident in recent years to rock the farming community in the area.
“This is now the second incident following the fatal shooting of Gerhard Fourie about three years ago. This area is usually peaceful and quiet and there are not many attacks. We do not know the reason for this heartbreaking incident. Hopefully the police investigation will shed more light and the culprits will be brought to book,” he said.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Hendrik Swart, said police are investigating a case of murder.
“Police in Hartswater are investigating a case of murder after the body of 79-year-old Piet Jacobs was found in the house he was staying in on a plot in the Hartswater area. His son made the discovery early this morning (Saturday) when he arrived back home at about 7am,” said Swarts.
“Although it is not clear how he was killed, police are investigating the possibility that he might have been strangled. He also had several bruises on his face and some scratch marks on his arms. His hands were tied up behind his back.
“The motive for the murder is still unknown. At this stage only two cellphones are missing from the house.The deceased was hiring the house on the plot where he and his son were staying. During the attack, he was home alone. The investigation continues.”