W Cape farmer killed

2009-12-06 16:14

Cape Town - A farmer was shot dead during a failed robbery on his farm outside Ceres in the Western Cape, the provincial agriculture department said on Sunday.

"Mr PM Cilliers from the farm Loraine, outside Ceres, was fatally shot on Friday in what is presumed to have been a fumbled armed robbery," said spokesperson Wouter Kriel in a statement.

Cilliers left his two children and two friends in the house and went outside when he heard a noise at the back door.

"Upon confronting the robbers, a scuffle ensued during which four shots were fired. His friends phoned their parents, who then contacted the police."

Cilliers died shortly after the police arrived. Nothing was taken from the house. No arrests had been made.

Western Cape Agriculture MEC Gerrit van Rensburg said he was shocked and saddened by the murder, as well as the killing of three workers on a Beaufort West farm on Saturday, allegedly by a caretaker with a hunting rifle.

- SAPA