The 63-year-old man who was shot in the face during the early hours of this morning is in a critical condition in hospital. He and his wife were viciously attacked on their smallholding at Bootha plots in Randfontein.
Read initial article here: BREAKING: Elderly couple attacked on smallholding
When the Herald arrived at the scene, we were informed by a source that the injured man had been identified as Hennie Croukamp. His 62-year-old wife is known as Marié. A passer-by also informed the Herald that they had just came from the hospital, where Hennie is in a critical, but stable condition.
The two dogs that were poisoned were of medium and small size. The perpetrators allegedly used vienna sausages to conceal the poison. The place on the wire fence where they jumped over could clearly be seen.
Local police said the man was shot in the face after four unknown males overpowered him and his 62-year-old wife during a house robbery. Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police’s spokesperson said, “It is alleged that the couple was woken by the dogs barking. The noise was investigated and when nothing out of the ordinary was found, they went back to sleep.”
Captain Ernst further said that at about 4.10 am, the couple was overpowered by the unknown male perpetrators. One of them shot the man in the face and then forced the wife to the safe. A security vehicle approaching allegedly spooked the perpetrators, who took a firearm and fled the scene.
The injured victim was transported to a local hospital shortly afterwards.
During the investigation on scene, it was established that the perpetrators had gained entry to the smallholding by poisoning the dogs. They then accessed the house through a broken window and burglar bars.
The West Rand Trio Task Team, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Gert Kruger, is leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to trace and apprehend the perpetrators. Any information regarding the incident can be communicated to the Trio Task Team standby number on 079 496 6288.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
Also read:
Elderly couple murdered on farm
Farm attack: Seven suspects on the run after armed robbery
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