Delmas farmer brutally murdered by six armed farm attackers

A 76-year-old farmer, Gustav Rappard, was brutally murdered after he was overpowered and murdered by six armed farm attackers on Sunday morning.

THE ELDERLY COUPLE WAS AT HOME WHEN THEY WERE ATTACKED

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the report stated that at about 11h00 am, the elderly man, Gustav Rappard, and his wife, Elma Rappard, were in their house at a farm (Welgevonden) in Delmas when they heard the sound of a hooter at the gate.

Gustav went outside to check, and Elma reported that she observed six men who indicated that they were there to buy grass bales.

The six men were then reportedly informed by Gustav that it was Sunday and he could not help them before going back to the house.

SIX ARMED ATTACKERS OVERPOWERED GUSTAV AND STRANGLED HIM

But shortly after that, Gustav informed his wife that he decided to assist them anyway.

It is believed the six men overpowered and strangled Gustav when he went outside to assist them. Thereafter, four armed men reportedly entered the house, where they demanded cash from the man’s wife.

Elma was then reportedly tied up with strings after she indicated to their attackers that they did not have cash. The armed men have then gone through the house searching for money. After a while, the men reportedly left with two cell phones.

“Elma, who was unaware of what had happened to her husband at the time, managed to walk to the neighbour’s farm to seek help. After a search at the premises, the body of Gustav was found in the barn,”

“Police and the medical personnel were notified about the incident. The man was unfortunately certified dead, and police opened a case of farm murder hence the manhunt,” Mohlala said.

GUSTAV WAS DECLARED DEAD ON THE SCENE

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned the farm murder.

Manamela has called for the swift arrest of the suspects.

“Those suspects should be hunted down and be brought to book within a short space of time. It is really a disgrace that suspects defenseless target victims, and after robbing them, they shamefully murder them,” Manamela said.

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