A 70-year-old female farmer was brutally assaulted and left tied up during a harrowing farm attack in the early hours of Saturday, October 11, in Cilliersrust.

The vicious incident, which occurred around 1:20 am, also involved the kidnapping of two farm workers.

During the robbery, two of her farm employees were kidnapped, but they were later found safe and alive.

Vicious assault and kidnapping

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, four armed men allegedly broke into the woman’s home.

The victim was subjected to a savage assault: the attackers reportedly threw boiling water over her face and struck her head with a kettle before restraining her with chains and tape.

The suspects threw boiling water on the elderly woman’s face and hit her before tying her up. They then stole her belongings and kidnapped two employees, who were later found safe.

Police pursuit leads to discovery

A break in the case came when police on patrol near the Carolina railway line noticed the farmer’s Isuzu bakkie speeding past a stop sign and heading toward eManzana (formerly Badplaas). Mdhluli stated that officers, recognizing the vehicle, became suspicious, prompting an immediate pursuit.

The police contacted Badplaas SAPS while other members proceeded to the farm. Mdhluli explained: “Upon arrival, they found all the gates open and the garage also open, but the house itself was strangely locked. After failed attempts to reach the farmer on her cell phone, a nearby farmer was called to help gain entry.”

Inside the home, police heard cries for help and found the elderly woman on the ground, tied with a chain and her face covered with sellotape. She was bleeding and told police she had been attacked along with two farm workers, who had been taken by the four armed males.

The suspects fled the scene with the Isuzu double cab bakkie, a mobile phone, and a Revolver .38 special handgun, along with the two employees. An ambulance was immediately called, and the farmer was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Workers and vehicle recovered

Fortunately, the two kidnapped workers contacted the Badplaas Police and were later found safe on the Machadodorp Road. The stolen Isuzu bakkie was also recovered in Mbombela by the White River Flying Squad after an earlier attempt by Barberton SAPS to stop the vehicle was unsuccessful.

The Carolina Police are investigating a case of House Robbery [Farm attack], with additional counts of Kidnapping and Assault with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm.

No arrests have been made, and the suspects remain at large. Police are urging anyone with information that may lead to the apprehension of the suspects to contact the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via the My SAPS App.