A farm manager in the Winburg district is the latest victim of a farm attack in the Free State when he was attacked and robbed by two men in his house on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at about 19:30.
Joseph Matheatau (56), manager of the farm Doringnek, said he is lucky to still be alive after he was attacked and struck with an object on his neck.
The two attackers tied Matheatau, robbed him and threatened to kill him if they see him on the farm again.
Alf Bronner, owner of the farm, said the robbers hit Matheatau on the back of his neck where after he fell and lost consciousness.
Bronner, who lives in Hennenman and manages a business in Welkom, was not on the farm when the incident occurred.
He said the robbers tied Matheatau’s hands and feet with rope and stole his belongings and food.” Joseph regained consciousness, untied his hands and ran to a neighbour to report the attack.”
The attackers apparently wanted to prepare food in a warehouse, but fled when the police arrived on the scene.
According to Bronner, Matheatau’s body is still painful and he fears for his life.
“They said they would kill him if they see him on the farm again. He was severely beaten and could hardly move today. We will look after his safety and I will make sure someone will come and stay with him. The aggression, with which the act was committed, is bothering everyone in the area.”
Bronner said members of the police K9 unit and trackers were quickly on the scene and tracks of the attackers were found.
According to him farmers in the area have been plagued by burglaries over the past six weeks and there was also a break-in at his neighbor’s house. They suspect it’s possibly the same robbers who attacked Matheatau.
Tommy Esterhuyse, chairman of the Free State Agriculture’s committee for law and order, said the safety of workers is a cause for concern.
Esterhuyse said when farm workers are killed, or injured so badly they can no longer work, is not only tragic, but it leads to further poverty in the community and harm the operations on the farms.
Sgt. Ian Gaopebe, police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said a charge of assault is being investigated.
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