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

The incident, which occurred at around 01:20, also involved the kidnapping of two farm workers.

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

The attackers reportedly threw boiling water over her face and struck her on the head with a kettle before tying her up with chains and tape.

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The police were on patrol near the Carolina railway line when they noticed the farmer’s Isuzu double-cab bakkie speeding past a stop sign and heading toward eManzana (formerly Badplaas).

Mdhluli said that officers, recognising the vehicle belonged to the elderly woman, became suspicious and immediately gave chase.

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

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“Inside the house, 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 four armed men,” he added.

Mdhluli said the suspects fled the scene with several items, including the bakkie, a mobile phone, and a .38 Special revolver, taking the two employees with them.

An ambulance was immediately dispatched to the scene, and the farmer was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The two kidnapped workers contacted the Badplaas police and were later found safe on Machadodorp Road. The stolen 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 SAPS is investigating a case of house robbery (farm attack), with additional charges of kidnapping and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

No arrests have been made in the case. Police are urging anyone with information that could lead to the suspects’ apprehension to contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or submit information via the My SAPS app.