BOTHAVILLE — Law enforcement authorities in the Free State have launched an urgent manhunt following a violent Bothaville farm robbery that left an elderly couple injured after being assaulted by three armed suspects.
The ordeal began on Sunday, 14 June 2026, at approximately 20:00, when the 77-year-old woman and her 80-year-old male partner returned to their agricultural property within the local policing precinct. Upon arriving, they were ambushed by three unidentified men whose faces were concealed and who wore gloves. During the initial confrontation outside, one attacker allegedly struck the 80-year-old man on the head with a hammer, while the remaining two men physically restrained the female resident.
The trio then forced the pair into the residence, where the brutality escalated as they beat the victims with a steel pole. Police reports indicate that at least one of the intruders was carrying a firearm during the home invasion. The assailants subsequently demanded cash, which the homeowners handed over to them.
After securing the money, the attackers commanded the victims to sit on a bed, proceeding to bind their hands and gag them using tape. The criminals thoroughly ransacked the bedroom before making their escape. Among the items stolen during the raid were an undisclosed quantity of cash, a revolver, and various pieces of women’s clothing and shoes.
Left bound and gagged, the victims were finally able to free themselves at roughly 23:30. They immediately contacted law enforcement to report the incident. Both victims sustained minor injuries during the attack but were able to provide statements to investigators.
A case of house robbery has been officially registered at the local police station for further investigation, and a tactical search operation is actively underway to track down the perpetrators.
