Stellenbosch winegrower shot and killed on farm

A winegrower has been shot and killed in Stellenbosch adding to growing concern over a “sudden wave” of attacks on farmers throughout the Western Cape.

Stellenbosch

Farmer Joubert Conradie, 47, of Uitkyk Farm in Klapmuts, died on Tuesday after he was shot by intruders in the early hours of the morning, and died shortly afterwards during emergency surgery, police have confirmed.

“The victim reacted to a noise in his residence [just before 01:00] when he was attacked and shot by unknown suspects, who fled empty handed,” police said in a statement, as reported by South Africa’s News 24.

DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard posted a message on Facebook on Tuesday from Fanie Hattingh, of Mount Vernon Farm, on behalf of Marlene Conradie, of Uitkyk Farm in Klapmuts, confirming Joubert Conradie’s death and decrying “another farm attack…. another murder.”

“Joubert Conradie passed away at Stellenbosch MediClinic following a tragic shooting incident on Uitkyk Farm in Klapmuts around 01:30 this morning,” she wrote. “The patient was rushed to hospital and treated by a team of Emergency doctors and surgeons on arrival. He unfortunately passed away during Emergency Surgery at the hospital.

“The family is currently present at the hospital and SAPS are leading the investigation. If you have any information please contact Stellenbosch Watch or Stellenbosch SAPS immediately. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Regards, Fanie Hattingh (Mount Vernon Farm).”

Earlier this week dozens of farmers gathered on a roadside to pay their respects to Conradie and protest against the ongoing violence, with the following picture posted by Agri Wes-Kaap‏, an organisation that supports the agricultural sector in the Western Cape of South Africa.

There have been three reported farm attacks over the past few weeks in the Western Cape, which resulted in two deaths. Conradie and 46-year-old Mark Fagan from Klein Dassenberg near Philadelphia, were shot dead just over a week apart.

A third farmer, from Ceres, was allegedly attacked and stabbed with a knife several times in his roadside stall but survived the attack.

“The FF Plus wants to caution local farmers to approach safety on their farms in a new way; to increase security measures and to always be vigilant as farm attacks can occur anywhere in the country,” read the statement.

SA wine writer Emile Joubert tweeted: “Stellenbosch wine-farmer Joubert Conradie murdered on Klapmuts farm. Wineland crime is totally, just totally out of control. #wetoo”, while another Twitter used, @13Juba wrote: “Sad to hear about yet another farm murder between Klapmuts and Stellenbosch. Senseless killing of Joubert Conradie.Something needs to be done.”

The circumstances surrounding the death of Conradie are still being investigated. No arrests have been made.

Police have appealed to anyone with information to contact South Africa’s Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Conradie is survived by his wife and two children.