The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has strongly condemned an incident in which a 63-year-old farm owner was shot and injured and a security guard, aged 52 was shot and killed. The incident occurred at Brondal Farm, in Sabie, on Monday, 02 August 2021. Suspects are said to have then fled the scene with three firearms thereafter which included two rifles and a revolver.
It is said that on the day, about three armed suspects wearing masks reportedly entered the farm house where they held the owner, his wife and daughter hostage.
Reports further indicate that a certain security company was alerted about the incident. Two security guards responded accordingly where one was shot and the other held hostage, disarmed and assaulted.
The suspects reportedly shot the owner and robbed a certain man (who was identified as a family friend) of his white Ford Ranger Club Cab bakkie. They got away with three firearms and a cellphone. The bakkie was later found abandoned about two kilometres from the farm house.
Police at Sabie as well as the medical personnel were informed about the incident. One of the security guards was certified dead at the scene, while the farm owner and the other guard were taken to hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention. A farm murder case was opened with an additional charge of attempted murder and robbery. A massive manhunt has been launched and an investigation is underway.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Manamela has further ordered for the swift arrest of the suspects. “We cannot rest until all the firearms are recovered with all the suspects put behind bars where they belong. Surely someone in the community might have seen or heard something regarding the suspects that we are looking for. We are hopeful that members of the public will assist the police with information that will help us trace and arrest the suspects”, said General Manamela.
Anyone with information about the incident can contact the Branch Commander, Detective Captain Johannes Thomas Motau at 0824489480 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All information received will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.