North West farmer shot in bed

2003-04-13 13:36

Potchefstroom - A 33-year-old farmer was murdered on his farm in the Delareyville district on Saturday night while his wife was assaulted, North West police said.

Captain Aafje Botma said in a statement released on Sunday that Johan Taljaard and his wife, Gertruida, 30, heard their dogs barking around 22:30 on Saturday night, but ignored it.

Shortly afterwards Mrs Taljaard woke up when a man tried to pull her from the bed, demanding the keys to the safe.

He allegedly also held a knife to her throat. The man tried to stab her with the knife when she said she did not know where the safe's keys were.

Another man overpowered Mr Taljaard and a scuffle ensued. The attacker got hold of a firearm which was hidden under the couple's pillows and fired several shots at Taljaard. He was hit in the groin, upper leg and shoulder and died on the bed.

After shooting the farmer, the attackers fled on foot, taking only the firearm and a small amount of money they took from Mrs Taljaard's purse.

The couple's two children, aged two and four, who were sleeping in an adjacent room, were not injured.

Mrs Taljaard sustained bruises to her face and upper body.

Botma said police were still searching for the suspects and they appealed to the community to contact the police if they had any information regarding the whereabouts of the men.

- SAPA