Farmer tied to tree, killed

2006-09-05 20:00

Pietermaritzburg - An elderly farmer was killed and his wife was assaulted at Albert Falls, said police on Tuesday.

Inspector Joey Jeevan said Eric Podolski, 71, had been tied to a tree and hit on the head in a field where he was later found dead.

Initial investigations showed that three men had arrived at his farm asking for temporary work, which he gave them, doing bush clearing about 400m away from his house.

Shortly after Podolski was attacked, the men entered the house asking Podoloski's 62-year-old wife, Miriam, for a grass cutter.

They then tied up and choked her and ransacked the farmhouse, fleeing with R1 200 cash and possibly the farmer's firearm.

The wife broke free and called the police.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information that may assist the police in their investigation is requested to contact inspector Robin Mays on 082 413 8474 or captain Nico van Rensburg on 082 556 1315.

- SAPA