A Fort Beaufort pensioner yesterday recounted how she survived a robbery that claimed the life of her husband, Eric Moss.
Louisa Cornelia Moss, 88, told of how she was assaulted and her husband was killed when four assailants entered their Newsome Street home on Sunday.
Moss, who had been smoking outside when the robbers attacked him and his wife, died on the scene after two suspects hit him on the head and strangled him with wire before dragging him into the house, where he succumbed to injuries.
Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, a bruised Louisa said she found her husband of 17 years in a pool of blood on their kitchen floor. This was after she managed to free her arms and remove a cloth from her mouth.
“Two of them came into my bedroom and kicked me, trampled on me and even choked me. They shoved a cloth in my mouth and tied my hands with wires.
“They kept shouting ‘where is the money?’ I explained to them that we are just pensioners with no money,” she recalled.
According to Eastern Cape police, the thugs fled with cash, cellphones belonging to the couple, jewellery and a TV set.
Yesterday provincial police spokesman Captain Khaya Tonjeni said Fort Beaufort police were hot on the heels of the suspects.
“It is alleged that four males gained entry in a home of an elderly couple and demanded cash. The robbers attacked the elderly man and left the female victim unharmed but highly traumatised.”
Moss’s neighbour, cattle farmer Clive Pringle, 76, said the killing was completely unnecessary.
“He was just a small, fragile man. They could have just pushed him out of the way and taken what they wanted.”
A shattered David Gwele, who has been working with Moss for seven years in their garden, said: “Next month we were going to enter our eighth year as employer and employee. I’m so devastated. He was a good and giving man.”
Anyone with information to share that could assist the police investigation can contact the investigating officer, Captain Msimelelo Fete on 082-090-2742 or (046) 645-1144.
Tips can be shared on the SAPS Crime Stop line, 08600-10111 or the crime line 33221. All information is confidential, Tonjeni said. — malibongwed@dispatch.co.za
Pensioner, 84, beaten and strangled at home in brutal robbery
Louisa Cornelia Moss, 88, told of how she was assaulted and her husband was killed when four assailants entered their Newsome Street home on Sunday.
Moss, who had been smoking outside when the robbers attacked him and his wife, died on the scene after two suspects hit him on the head and strangled him with wire before dragging him into the house, where he succumbed to injuries.
Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, a bruised Louisa said she found her husband of 17 years in a pool of blood on their kitchen floor. This was after she managed to free her arms and remove a cloth from her mouth.
“Two of them came into my bedroom and kicked me, trampled on me and even choked me. They shoved a cloth in my mouth and tied my hands with wires.
“They kept shouting ‘where is the money?’ I explained to them that we are just pensioners with no money,” she recalled.
According to Eastern Cape police, the thugs fled with cash, cellphones belonging to the couple, jewellery and a TV set.
Yesterday provincial police spokesman Captain Khaya Tonjeni said Fort Beaufort police were hot on the heels of the suspects.
“It is alleged that four males gained entry in a home of an elderly couple and demanded cash. The robbers attacked the elderly man and left the female victim unharmed but highly traumatised.”
Moss’s neighbour, cattle farmer Clive Pringle, 76, said the killing was completely unnecessary.
“He was just a small, fragile man. They could have just pushed him out of the way and taken what they wanted.”
A shattered David Gwele, who has been working with Moss for seven years in their garden, said: “Next month we were going to enter our eighth year as employer and employee. I’m so devastated. He was a good and giving man.”
Anyone with information to share that could assist the police investigation can contact the investigating officer, Captain Msimelelo Fete on 082-090-2742 or (046) 645-1144.
Tips can be shared on the SAPS Crime Stop line, 08600-10111 or the crime line 33221. All information is confidential, Tonjeni said. — malibongwed@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos