In a distressing turn of events, an elderly couple aged 85 and 79 were viciously attacked during a robbery on their farm outside Tzaneen, Limpopo. The Limpopo police have now launched a manhunt for the armed assailants responsible for the brutal home invasion.
According to the police, the incident occurred on Saturday, June 8th, around 8:30 PM. The couple was at home when unknown suspects, armed with pangas, smashed the windows and gained entry into the residence.
The assailants reportedly threatened the elderly victims and demanded money and firearms. They then proceeded to tie up the couple with shoelaces and physically assault them. The suspects stole five firearms, along with ammunition, before fleeing the scene on foot.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, stated that no arrests have been made so far, and the matter remains a serious concern. “A joint search operation was immediately activated to track down the suspects,” he said. “The team followed the tracks of the suspects, but the suspects noticed them and jumped off a fence.”
During the pursuit, two of the stolen firearms, which were loaded, were dropped by the fleeing assailants. However, three of the firearms remain unrecovered, as the suspects managed to disappear into the bushes around the Letsitele Valley road.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has ordered police across the province to intensify their efforts to apprehend the suspects. Hadebe has also praised the officers who were able to recover some of the stolen firearms.
The police are now appealing to the community to work closely with them in order to arrest the assailants and recover the remaining stolen firearms. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Commander Colonel Phoyisa Zitha on 082 414 3309, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, the nearest police station, or use the My SAPS App to share details.
