A man who attacked an elderly couple with a panga during an early morning walk has been sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment by the Plettenberg Bay Regional Court.

Cole Bruiners, who was convicted of robbery with aggravating circumstances, assaulted the couple on Challenge Drive on January 14, 2025.

The 70-year-old woman and her 73-year-old husband were taking a morning stroll when Bruiners attempted to snatch the woman’s handbag. She resisted, and he assaulted her with a panga, leaving her bruised and bloodied.

Her husband was stabbed in the head while trying to intervene, suffering a deep laceration to his skull.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said Bruiners fled the scene with the couple’s hats, but the entire incident was captured on CCTV and circulated widely on social media.

A member of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) recognised the suspect and alerted authorities.

Bruiners was arrested the following day and found in possession of the weapon.

He later cooperated with the police and pointed out where he had sold the stolen items, which were recovered.

Ntabazalila said State prosecutor Anele Pike argued for a harsher sentence, noting that Bruiners had two previous convictions for dishonesty.

“The previous sentences had no deterrent or rehabilitative effect on the accused.

“Nothing placed before the court warrants deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence.”

The State also submitted the couple’s medical reports, detailing the physical injuries and emotional trauma they suffered.

“The court must consider their age, the brazenness of the attack, and the community’s call for justice. The sentence must send a strong message,” Ntabazalila said.

The court sentenced Bruiners to 15 years’ imprisonment for each of the two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, but ordered that five years of the second count run concurrently.

He will serve an effective 20 years behind bars.

Although Bruiners pleaded guilty, the court noted that he had not voluntarily handed himself in. His arrest was the result of swift coordination between community safety groups and law enforcement.

Reacting to the sentence, the NPA said it welcomed the conviction of a man who “targeted and terrorised” an elderly couple.

“This sentence sends a strong message that crimes against vulnerable members of society will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law,” Ntabazalila said.

He reiterated the NPA’s commitment to protecting communities and ensuring that justice is served, particularly in cases involving senior citizens.

The attack, which took place at around 5.18am, shocked the coastal town.

CCTV footage showed a man in an orange hoodie running toward the couple and grabbing the woman’s handbag before striking her with the panga. As she clung to the bag, her husband attempted to intervene and was stabbed.

According to PBCPA spokesperson, Otto Olivier, responders arrived within minutes to help the injured and traumatised couple. “They fought back fiercely, and the perpetrator fled. Responders flooded the area and SAPS activated all available resources to track down the suspect,” he said.

The couple was rushed to Mediclinic in a private vehicle. Olivier added: “The victims are traumatised and have received the care they need. We wish them a full and speedy recovery.”

At the time, the PBCPA offered a R10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and urged residents to remain vigilant.

“Plettenberg Bay is one of the safest residential and holiday destinations in South Africa, but our older residents must stay alert,” Olivier said.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that detectives had opened a case of aggravated robbery. 

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za 

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