Man beaten to death

2003-03-17 14:05

Vereeniging - A 73-year-old man was found murdered in his home on a smallholding near De Deur in the Vaal triangle on Saturday, Vereeniging police reported on Monday.

Captain Nthabiseng Mazibuko said the body of Joseph William Roberts was found by his son Gary at 11:00. He had apparently been beaten to death.

Roberts lived alone on his smallholding, which was ransacked. Two guns and a microwave oven were missing.

Two other families in the Vaal triangle were robbed in separate incidents over the weekend, said Mazibuko.

James Morae, 54, and his family were overpowered by three armed men on their Walkerville smallholding at 02:00 on Saturday. The men stole a cellular phone, a television set, some clothing and about R600 in cash. Morae and his family were not injured.

Maria Roets and her family were also overpowered by three armed men, on the farm Vlakplaats in the Barrage area on Friday afternoon, Mazibuko said.

The robbers took a television set, a microwave oven, hi-fi equipment and a vehicle. No one was injured in the incident.

Police could not comment on whether the robberies could be related as investigations were still in progress, Mazibuko said.

- SAPA