Free State police have initiated a manhunt for three suspects following a violent house robbery on a farm outside Kestell. The incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, 26 June 2025, and was reported to authorities in the early hours of Thursday, 27 June.
Details of the Attack
At approximately 19:30, a 70-year-old man was ambushed upon returning to his home on Bakewell Farm. As he entered, three masked and gloved African male suspects assaulted him, striking him over the head with a hard object before tying his hands. The assailants, who spoke both Sesotho and Afrikaans, demanded cash and access to his safe.
Stolen Items
The suspects ransacked the property, stealing:
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Firearms
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Cellphones
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Cash
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Clothing
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Electronic appliances
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Groceries
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Liquor
They loaded the stolen goods into the victim’s white Toyota Hilux parked outside.
Victim’s Escape and Recovery
While the robbers continued searching the house, the elderly man freed himself, escaped through a window, and fled to a neighboring farm for assistance. He sustained head injuries and received medical treatment.
Police responded swiftly, recovering some of the stolen items—including a firearm—from the back of the victim’s vehicle. However, the suspects had already fled and remain at large.
Ongoing Investigation
Specialised units and forensic teams processed the scene, and a case of house robbery has been opened. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as the search for the suspects intensifies.
