On Thursday, 05th November 2020 at +- 19:00 a group of assailants gained access to the Zwartpan farm, outside Hennenman.The gang overpowered Pieter Hills who was alone at home at the time, and tied him up.
During this time, Pieter’s son Eddi and a friend arrived at the home from Gym. The friend, who regularly gyms with Eddie and usually accompanies him home afterward for a visit, opted not to go into the house this time as she was feeling ill, and left the premises.
Unbeknownst to Eddie, the attackers were still in the house and as he walked unsuspectingly in on them, they grabbed him and a struggle ensued. Eddie was shot in the process, after which they shot Pieter execution-style in the head.
Pieter’s wife Antoinette, and their daughters Rochelle and Carmen, were not home at the time of the attack. At around 05:00 the following morning, Antionette became concerned when she could not raise Pieter or her son, so she contacted the family Housekeeper, Anna Bochedi, and asked her to go and investigate.
Anna, accompanied by another worker Maria Khumalo went to the farmhouse and found their employer brutally murdered. Anne recalls Khumalo screaming: “Boeta is dead” before she fainted. Anna discovered that Eddie was still alive.
Thereafter Anna raised the alarm and a mayday call went out for priority assistance. On arrival, Eddie was stabilised and sent through to Welkom Hospital in a critical condition for further life-saving interventions.
It seems the only items taken were handguns. It is unclear at this stage if Pieter and Eddie were shot with their own weapons.
Investigations so far indicate that the group of attackers took a pathway through the veld after the attack, until they hit the road, after which they took a car to Hennenman.
It seems like they knew the movements of their target and knew that Pieter was alone.
Anna Bochedi and Maria Khumalo in shock after their employer was murdered.Eddie Hills and his girlfriend, Marizanè du PlessisPieter Hills and his son Eddie Hills fighting fires in the Free State.The scene on the farm after neighbours and security forces arrived.
Pieter Hills and Eddie Hills
2020
05 November `20, Thu - 19:00
Incident – Attack on the Hills family
A group of assailants gained access to the Zwartpan farm, outside Hennenman where the Hills family resided.
The gang overpowered Pieter Hills and tied him up. Eddie Hills, the son of Pieter arrived home and was grabbed by the gang as he walked in on them. A struggle ensued and Eddie was shot, after which the assailants shot Pieter execution-style in the head.
06 November `20, Fri - 05:00
The body of Pieter Hills, and a critically injured Eddie Hills is discovered
0 Days, 10 Hours, 0 Minutes From Incident till Discovery
At around 05:00 Antionette Hills, who was away at the time became concerned when she was unable to raise her husband Pieter or her son. She contacted the family Housekeeper, Anna Bochedi and asked her to go and investigate.
Anna, accompanied by another worker Maria Khumalo, went to the farmhouse and found their employer brutally murdered, and that Eddie was still alive . Thereafter, the mayday call went out for priority assistance. On arrival of a multi-agency approach of Police, Medical, Farm Watch, Eddie was stabilised and sent through to Welkom Hospital in a critical condition for further life-saving interventions.
It seems the only items taken were handguns. It is unclear at this stage if Pieter and Eddie were shot with their own weapons.
Investigations indicate that the group of assailants took a pathway through the veld after the attack, until they hit the road, after which they took a car to Hennenman.
It appears as if they knew the movements of their target and knew that Pieter would be alone.
06 November `20, Fri - 07:00
SVS Activated
0 Days, 12 Hours, 0 Minutes From Incident till SVS activated
AfriForum 911 activated Specialised Victim Support – Code Red. This process saw the NetCare Level 1 Mill Park team coming on board, and it was decided to transfer Eddie by air ambulance to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg for level 1 treatment.
06 November `20, Fri - 22:00
Arrests
1 Day, 3 Hours, 0 Minutes From Incident till Arrest
A breakthrough came after a Crime Intelligence led operation supported by a multi-agency approach with local Hennenman detectives, crime prevention and the farm watch and led to Phomolong +- 30km away from the Zwartpan farm, outside Hennenman.
Four suspects were arrested and charged for murder and house robbery.
07 November `20, Sat - 03:00
Once suspect deceased
0 Days, 21 Hours, 0 Minutes From Arrest till Deceased
One of the suspects that was arrested was found hanging in his police cell in the early hours of the morning.
09 November `20, Mon - 09:00
Expected Court Appearance for both remaining suspects
1 Month, 25 Days, 13 Hours, 0 Minutes From Arrest till Expected Court Appearance
The suspects will appear in the Hennenman Magistrates Court on Monday, 09, November 2020
11 November `20, Wed - 11:30
Eddie Hills succumbs to his injuries
5 Days, 16 Hours, 30 Minutes From Incident till Death
Eddie Hills was sadly declared brain dead this evening and passed away due to his injuries.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor in Hennenman, Maxie Badenhorst, reported that “Pieter was a special type of person. The community and his workers loved him. He was that guy in a small town, everyone I […]
