No arrests have been made following the attack on Les and Natasha Brett at their Broederstroom home on Sunday evening (November 1), police confirmed today (November 5).

Hartbeespoortdam police are investigating a case of house robbery after three masked men allegedly entered the couple’s home and fled with seven licensed firearms, ammunition, electronic equipment and other valuables, reports Pretoria Rekord.

In an earlier statement, North West police spokesperson Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said the suspects allegedly gained entry through an unlocked wooden sliding door.

They reportedly demanded money, claiming they knew that one of the occupants operated a kiosk at a nearby resort.

According to police, the suspects accessed a safe and stole seven firearms of different calibres, all reportedly licensed in the male victim’s name. Two cellphones, a laptop, cash and other personal belongings were also taken.

Allegations of torture

Close family friend Warren Geddes previously told Rekord that the couple were overpowered at about 19:30 and subjected to hours of torture.

He alleged that they were stripped naked, beaten and burned with boiling water while the attackers demanded the keys to the safe.

According to Geddes, the attackers began cutting Natasha’s nipples with bolt cutters and repeatedly threatened to rape her when Les refused to hand over the keys. He said the attackers stopped when Les eventually surrendered them.

Further information supplied to Rekord alleged that a rifle, described as an AK-47, was forced into Les’s mouth, causing cuts, and that he sustained serious knee injuries.

Arthur Crewe from SRU High Risk Security also previously told Rekord that the couple had been burned with boiling water, severely beaten and stabbed.

SRU received a call for assistance at approximately 22:30, with responders reportedly arriving within four minutes. A drone search was conducted, but no suspects were found during the initial response.

Members of the local community policing forum and Harties Emergency Medical Services also assisted.

In a statement issued on Tuesday (November 3), police described the male victim’s injuries as minor and said he sought medical attention from a doctor after allegedly being threatened and having hot water poured on him.

The statement did not detail the female victim’s injuries or address the allegations of bolt cutters, stabbing and threats of rape. These details remain based on accounts previously supplied to Rekord and have not been confirmed by police.

Community appeal

Les is the founder of Dung Beetle Bush School, which he established more than 20 years ago to help combat poaching and support wildlife conservation.

North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams previously condemned the attack and urged residents to strengthen their home security and report suspicious activity.

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