THE AFTERMATH OF A FARM ATTACK

Northam – South African farm attacks not only leave their victims physically scarred, the mental and psychological damage remain long after the bandages are removed. 

The memories of the brutal attacks remain long after loved ones have been laid to rest. Too often the survivors are left with permanent scars and the nightmares of those attacks will haunt them for years to come.

 
The farm attack on Wildebeeslaagte is just one such an example. Priscilla Venter (53) and her mother Esmè Venter (74) was brutally attacked on their farm Wildebeeslaagte just outside of Northam on 10 September, as reported in the Platinum Bushvelder of 14 September.

Priscilla, who was already facing her own problems, found that her life changed drastically for the worse after the attack. She was struck over the head with a shovel during the farm attack. She suffered a skull fracture and ended up in a coma while they desperately waited for the swelling in her brain to subside before anything could be done.

Priscilla was released from hospital nearly a month after the attack and now has to learn some of the most basic actions from scratch. 

The injuries she suffered are so severe that she can no longer walk without the help of a walking frame. She has difficulty speaking and sometimes needs help with rudimentary actions that we take for granted, such as going to the bathroom.

Tragically, her rehabilitation treatment is not covered by her medical aid and all the subsequent expenses are being covered by family and friends.

Esmè (Priscilla’s mom) cannot go back to the farm Wildebeeslaagte. Her broken arm and physical injuries are healing well, but she needs to recover from the pshycological trauma caused by the attack. 

The farm that they once called home is now nothing more than the place where strangers tried to murder her and her daughter for trinkets.

In an interview with the Platinum Bushvelder Rina Venter, a family member of Pricilla said: “Esmè is trying to stay strong but we can see that she is extremely traumatised after the attack. We are lucky to have such a strong bond as a family and we try to support each other through this very difficult time.”

We cannot be there for the victims during a farm attack but perhaps it is time that we as a community realise that sometimes the farm attacks continue long after the criminals have left.
Its up to us, the community, to care for the survivors.

If you would like to make any contribution, please contact Rina Venter on 083 985 1214.