Pieter and Eddie Hills Victimology
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 spoke to loved him.” (Richards 2020)
“Eddie is a fighter; he’s a big, sporty guy – a rugby player. We just hope he pulls through. If he pulls through, it will make a difference in the town. It will bring a bit of positivity back. The community was in a state of shock and sadness after the “senseless” attack.” (Richards 2020)
Maxie said the owner of the local Pick n Pay described the attack as “the worst thing that could have happened to the town”, adding that she knew the family personally, and “can’t even speak sense at this moment. There is no sense in this.” (Richards 2020)
With tensions in farming communities across the country already high due to the murder of farm foreman Brendin Horner in Senekal, also in the Free State, Badenhorst said the timing of the Hills’s attack was “very bad”. There was also a municipal by-election in Hennenman scheduled for next week (Richards 2020).
Brigadier Motantsi Makhele informed the public that a competent team of investigators have been assigned to investigate this matter and that farmers in the area were working with police to help find the suspects (Richards 2020).
“We appeal to the farming community to remain calm and allow the police space to investigate this case.” (Richards 2020)
Eddie’s girlfriend, Marizanè du Plessis, took to social media on Friday, asking for people to pray for his safety. I don’t usually post, but today is extremely important. My boyfriend in the photo is a farmer from Hennenman who is currently fighting for his life after a farm attack (du Plessis 2020).
All I ask from the depths of my heart, please pray and pray as much as possible for his safety (du Plessis).
I, my family as well as his will appreciate it immensely (du Plessis).
References:
du Plessis, M. 2020. Facebook. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2956908347743383&set=a.944947338939504&type=3 accessed on 2020-11-09
Richards, N. 2020 Hennenman community in shock after deadly attack on farmer. The Citizen. Available at: https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/2380844/hennenman-community-in-shock-after-deadly-attack-on-farmer/ accessed on 2020-11-09