Grisly attack on 'vulnerable' elderly

A farmer has reportedly been shot, execution-style, with his own rifle while his wife was strangled to death with shoelaces by three attackers on their farm Lindeshof in the Koës district in the //Karas Region. The couple has been identified as 79-year-old Giel and 80-year-old Sarie Botma.The attackers were arrested by the //Karas police and are expected to appear in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate's Court today. //Karas regional police commander, Commissioner Rudolf Isaak confirmed the incident yesterday and said the three have, to date, been charged with robbery with aggravated circumstances, theft and two charges of murder.According to Isaak, the couple took their three farmworkers to Koës on Friday to attend a funeral during the weekend and were alone on the farm when they were attacked. The suspects stole the farmer's single cab Hilux bakkie using it as a getaway car, along with his .22 rifle and two cameras. Isaak strongly condemned this kind of attack on “peaceful” and “vulnerable” old people who “mean no harm” to anyone and said he appreciated the cooperation of neighbouring farmers and the entire community, enabling the police to arrest the culprits.“This kind of thing is very painful. I would really advise people who have elderly parents or relatives to always keep an eye on them. It will also be good to keep big dogs at home; at least their barking can serve as a warning to people and keep these villains away. And if possible, please lock up when the sun sets,” he said.Isaak added that it is not clear at this point whether the couple had children. He added that an investigation into the murder is in full swing and noted that more charges may soon be added.JEMIMA BEUKES

Grisly attack on 'vulnerable' elderly

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-08

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Grisly attack on 'vulnerable' elderly

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-08

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