Western Cape police are investigating the murder and robbery of a 53-year-old farmer on Piket BO-Berg farm in Piketberg on the west coast.
Police received a call from a community member about a person who had been injured. “When the police arrived on the scene, a body was found on the premises, which was half covered with a bin. He was already declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. He sustained blunt force trauma on the right side of his head,” said Captain Frederick van Wyk, the police spokesperson.
Investigations of the circumstances surrounding the incident are underway. Police believe the murder took place during a robbery at the farm.
“An undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the deceased’s desk. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. We have reason to believe the motive for the attack is robbery,” Van Wyk added.
Police have urged anyone with information on the farm robbery to come forward and contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation executive director Billy Classen said: “We convey our heartfelt thoughts and condolences to his family, friends, farmworkers and the agricultural sector of the Western Cape. It is a barbaric incident that has no place in our society and we cannot be silent on this.”
“This is a gruesome murder… We totally condemn in the strongest possible terms and ask the police to do everything in their power to see that the murderer and murderers are speedily put behind bars.”
Source: News24, Eyewitness News, ALGOA FM, cape{town}etc, image from cape{town}etc