BREAKING NEWS: 80-year-old murdered on farm in Dwarsfontein area near Delmas
Hennie van der Walt (80) and his life partner Hester Smal (79) were attacked in their farmhouse.
Hennie van der Walt (80) was found murdered in his house on a farm in the Dwarsfontein area near Delmas this morning, November 16.
According to the police, Van der Walt and his 79-year-old life partner, Hester Smal, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease were attacked in their home during the night or in the early morning.
The police suspect the assailants gained entrance to the house by breaking a window.
Farmworkers suspected something was wrong when there was no answer at the farmhouse this morning.
They alerted the neighbours who rushed to the farm.
Neighbours found all the safety gates locked and a grinder was used to break it open. They found the ailing Smal first and then the murdered Van der Walt.
Van der Walt sustained severe injuries, but the police could not yet confirm the cause of death. They suspect he was shot.
Information thus far suggests that fireams and a safe were looted from the house.
A member of the police’s K9 unit found the safe in the field close to the farm house. It was forced open and emptied.
The police’s forensic team is currently on the scene.
A neighbour is currently taking care of Smal.
