Robber fatally shot during Brits farm attack
A suspect was shot dead and the farm owner critically injured after a robbery in De Wildt on Thursday morning.
Robbie en Hester Feldman
Four armed robbers broke into the house of a farm in the early hours of Thursday morning, overpowering 56-year-old Robbie and 52-year-old Hester Feldman while they were still in bed, reports Kormorant.
Juna Niemann, spokesperson for the De Wildt Helpmekaarmaatskappy (DWHM) said: “The suspects were armed with a panga and a firearm. They broke open the sliding door and attacked the family while they were sleeping. A scuffle ensued between Robbie and the attackers, and shots were fired, presumably by one of the attackers. One of the robbers was shot in the chest. Robert was assaulted after he was hit over the head with a panga. Hester and their 16-year-old son Frikkie were repeatedly kicked and slapped, and were later tied up with shoelaces.”
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The remaining suspects plundered through the house and fled on foot with laptops and cell phones after their attempts to steal the family’s car failed. A tenant on the farm was arriving home shortly after the incident and suspected something was wrong after he saw the Feldman’s door wide open. He found the family still tied up in the house and proceeded to untie and help them.
“Our security company arrived at the scene, where they found one of the suspects lying next to Robbie on the floor. The suspect, who was wounded in the chest, was already dead. It is still unclear who fired the fatal shot,” said Niemann.
Robbie was rushed to the George Mukhari Hosptial, where his condition is critical but stable.
“My dad is still unconscious. He was hurt very badly. His ear was cut off, and doctors are working to reattach it,” said Robbie’s daughter René Kriel.
According to René, her father does not own a firearm.
AfriForum is assisting the family by providing counselling and will be cleaning the crime scene after police conclude their investigation. Akasia SAPS confirmed the attack.
“All we can say at this stage is that there was a farm attack where four suspects broke into the house and attacked the family. One of the suspects is dead, and a police investigation is currently underway,” confirmed Capt. Riana van Aarde.
This article was translated from Afrikaans by Nica Schreuder.
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