LIMPOPO – The swift arrest of the men who attacked a elderly couple on a farm in the Bylsteel area early this morning, has been praised by the Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Neke Ledwaba and the DA.
Bylsteel farm attack: 2 denied bail, 3rd suspect dies
The three men were intercepted on the R101 near Ivy Park in Polokwane at around 06:00, hours after the attack. Two of the men were arrested and a third, who fled on foot was shot during a shoot-out with the police. Earlier reports, however, claimed that he had died, but this was not the case.
Two arrested, one shot and killed in Polokwane hours after farm attack
According to reports the man and his wife were attacked in their home at around 01:00.
“The woman was raped and her husband was assaulted. She was also shot in the leg,” said DA leader, Jacques Smalle in a statement.
He added that a 96-year-old woman who was also in the house was spared any physical injuries. The attackers robbed them of several items including two-way radios and they fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle.
Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed the attack and said that an elderly farmer (62) and his wife (58), were badly assaulted.
“Several rifles, a Navara bakkie and a Plasma TV was taken during the incident.”
The police were alerted and the suspects were spotted on the Matlala road by members from the Highway Patrol Unit. “When they attempted to stop the vehicle they sped off, resulting in a car chase until they were cornered on the R101 south of Polokwane.
“Two of the men were arrested and a third, who shot at officers, was shot and seriously injured and was taken to hospital where he was admitted under police guard.”
Two rifles, a TV set, a two-way radios, a Nissan Navara and five pistols, which belonged to the suspects, were recovered.
The suspects, aged between 28 and 38, will appear in the Mogwadi Periodical Court on charges of house robbery and rape. They will also appear before Polokwane Magistrate’s Court for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and possession of stolen properties, says Mojapelo.
The couple were airlifted to a hospital in Polokwane where they are in a serious, but stable condition.