A 69-year-old man was shot dead in front of his wife during a violent robbery at a smallholding in Kromdraai near Hammanskraal, around 40km north of Pretoria last night (June 1).

According to Pretoria Rekord, local police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said that at approximately 22:00, police were dispatched to a complaint of a house robbery and murder at a smallholding situated on Seren Street.

“Upon arrival at the scene, police discovered the body of a 69-year-old man who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Preliminary investigations revealed that three unknown male suspects allegedly gained entry to the main house, where the deceased’s brother was sleeping.”

Van Dyk said the brother reported that the men tied him up and forced him to accompany them to an outside room occupied by the deceased and his wife.

According to the witness, the deceased opened the door to the room, whereupon he was shot without hesitation and collapsed to the ground.

“The suspects subsequently loaded several household and garden items into a silver Volkswagen Passat, believed to be a 2005 model, which had been parked in front of the room.”

He said one of the robbers drove away in the vehicle while the remaining two men left the scene shortly thereafter.

“Emergency Medical Services were summoned and upon arrival declared the victim deceased at the scene.”

Van Dyk added that the crime scene management personnel were activated and attended to process and document the scene for evidential purposes.

“Cases of house robbery and murder have been registered for investigation. No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are continuing.”

Police are requesting the community to provide information that could assist the investigation and lead to the arrest of the suspects.

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