Koos Roux (67), owner of JR Garden Service, fell victim to the savage attack at around 7:30am, when he was stabbed three times in the chest by two suspects, believed to be on his payroll, who were reporting for their day’s work.
Hearing the commotion from inside the house, Roux’s wife Lena was also attacked when she went outside to investigate, suffering seven stab wounds and being strangled with a hose pipe.
The motive for the attack appears to be robbery as the suspects made off with Roux’s jewellery, cellphone and wallet.
“There was no animosity between my father and the suspects that we are aware of,” says son Willie Badenhorst (41), who travelled from Umhlanga to be with the family.
He adds that word reached CPSF members, who responded in minutes, to find the couple in need of urgent medical care.
They were rushed to the Netcare N17 Hospital where it was found that the attack had left Koos with a punctured lung and liver, prompting emergency surgery to repair the damage.
“My mother was fortunate to escape with less serious wounds, although the trauma of the attack will stay with her, with all of us, for a long time,” says Badenhorst.
Doctors struggled to regulate Koos’ blood pressure due to his injuries - succumbing to his injuries at 4am last Monday morning with Lena, wife of some 30 years, by his side.
“He was the most placid, loving person you’ll ever meet. He was the kind of person who wouldn’t hurt a fly,” says Badenhorst sadly.
He says the police only showed up to take his mother’s statement after the Advertiser sent through an enquiry last Wednesday.
Springs police spokesman Captain Johannes Ramphora, in response, says that a case docket of murder has been opened for investigation.
“A statement has been obtained from Mrs Roux and the investigating officer is following leads. One suspect, believed to be linked to the case, has been arrested,” Capt Ramphora said on Thursday.
He was unable to provide further details at the time so as not to jeopardise the investigation.
“Springs police send our deepest condolences to the Roux family and condemn a barbaric act allegedly committed by the workers,” concludes Ramphora.
Badenhorst says that the garden service will most likely be closed down ‘now that there is nobody to look after it’.
Roux is survived by his wife Lena and three sons Willie, Andre (46) and Daniel (36).
The police have yet to release Roux’s body to the family for burial.
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