UK retiree murdered on North West farm
2013-02-26 09:38
Polokwane - A British citizen who retired on a farm in
Wolmaransstad in the North West was shot dead in a robbery over the weekend.
David Alexander Barclay, 66, who was known as Sandy, was not
armed when he went to investigate a noise at about 20:00 near the house on the
farm where he was staying, reported Beeld.
Barclay was sitting with friends and relatives on the
veranda at the time, said the owner of the house, who didn’t want to identify
himself or the farm.
“The dogs were barking non-stop but we thought there was an
impala at one of the windows. Sandy, a dear close friend of ours, took his
flashlight and went to investigate.”
Shots
The friends suddenly heard shots being fired. The owner ran
to the house and was confronted by a man with a gun demanding money.
“I said we don’t keep money here but he insisted. Then I
said: ‘Stop it in Jesus’s name.’ Another man arrived. He was aggressive and
also asked for money. He told the other one to shoot us.
“Then I said again: 'Stop it in Jesus's name.' Then one of
them suddenly said they should get away. They disappeared into the dark.”
Barclay was found lying in a pool of blood. He had been shot
in the neck. “It was so cold-blooded.”
Barclay was apparently widely respected in South Africa as
well as back home, where he used to work as an accountant.
His funeral would be a private event on the farm where he
had lived and died, said the farm owner.
Police had arrested a woman and were searching for more
suspects, said a spokesperson.
