Elderly farmer shot dead

2010-02-05 13:12

Thobile Mlangeni

Hoedspruit - Unknown criminals attacked an elderly couple on their farm in Limpopo on Thursday night, killing a 70- year-old man.

Koos van Staden and his 66-year-old wife, Henriette, were sleeping in their farm house on Glenco sugar estate in the Hoedspruit district when they were attacked.

According to Superintendent Ronel Otto, the couple were in bed at about 21:30 when intruder fired a shot through an open window into the Van Stadens' bedroom.

"He was shot in the neck and died on the scene," said Otto.

The victim's wife managed to shoot at the attackers and they fled without taking anything.

"The number of suspects involved is not known and neither is the motive for the attack," said Otto.

No arrests have yet been made. Trackers and members from the police's dog unit are helping to search for the attackers. Otto could not confirm whether the couple was the owners of the farm or just living there.
 

- African Eye