Although most of the crime in the Leeupoort area near East Driefontein usually takes place at the Mpahla Villiage informal settlement, two attacks took place on farms in the area this week.
A 73-year-old businessman and his staff were left shaken this week after a gang of armed robbers stormed his farm.
The victim, who also runs Tip Top Laundry was working with five employees on March 20. At around 09:30, seven masked men arrived at the property. Four of the men were armed with guns and quickly cornered the group. The thugs assaulted the owner and tied up the five workers, forcing them into a storeroom. While demanding gold and cash, one of the attackers fired three shots at the owner. Fortunately, the bullets missed. After the owner handed over his available cash and his wallet containing documents, the gang also grabbed several items of clothing before fleeing on foot.
Paramedics arrived shortly after to treat the owner for head injuries sustained during the robbery. Despite his injuries, he refused to go to the hospital, choosing to stay behind to look after his wife and staff. The police in Fochville, under whose jurisdiction this area falls, are investigating business robbery and attempted murder charges.
A gang of armed robbers also attacked another family whose farm is less than 5km away from that of the businessman on the night of Tuesday March 24.
As far as could be determined the owner and his son were shot while the owner’s wife and daughter were also assaulted. The thugs fled with their vehicle, which was found back the same evening together with goods stolen from the farm.