Nelspruit couple brutally beaten and tortured in farm attack

Nelspruit couple brutally beaten and tortured in farm attack
Mariette and Aneil Saaiman, with their daughter Marlandi Kussman (center). Photo: Facebook

A couple of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, South Africa is grateful to be alive after being attacked and brutally beaten on Sunday morning June 14, 2015, on a farm 30 km outside the town.

Aneil Saaiman (38) and his wife, Mariette (45), were attacked between 9:00 and 10:00 by three suspects after one of the attackers apparently crawled through under the electrified fence.

Marlandi Kussman (21), the couple’s daughter, said on Wednesday to Maroela Media her mother heard the birds’ loud chatter outside the house as they normally do when a snake is near. Mariette went out to investigate and saw a ladder up against the fence where the other two suspects allegedly climbed over.

She turned back to go into the house when one of the suspects stormed at her and assaulted her with a wooden plank. Aneil heard Mariette’s screams and when he ran out, the other two tackled him.

“They tied my mother in the driveway and dragged my father into the house,” Marlandi said. “One of the attackers kept hitting and kicking my mother. She pretended to be unconscious so he could stop beating her. She could hear my dad yelling inside the house as they tortured him.”

According to Marlandi the attackers took Aneil to the couple’s bedroom, where they beat him repeatedly and demanded the safe’s keys. “My father was a little stubborn and he refused to give it to them. They then went to fetch my mother in the driveway and dragged her into the house.”

Mariette handed the keys to the attackers and they took a handgun and a .22 rifle from the safe. They made the couple sit on the bed while they turn the cupboards upside down and tried on Aneil’s clothes.

“They could not load the .22, but eventually managed to load the gun and then they took off their balaclavas,” said Marlandi. “My mother said at that moment she just thought it was the end. They will kill us.”

Mariette prayed aloud and the attackers asked her to whom she was praying. When she said she was praying to God, they asked for what she was praying. She said she prayed that they would just leave her and her husband alone and go away. At that time, officials of J & M security company entered the property and the suspects fled.

Mariette and Aneil were taken to Nelspruit Medi Clinic where Mariette was admitted. She suffered minor head injuries, her hand was broken and she had severe bruises all over her body. Aneil also sustained severe bruises, but was not admitted. Mariette was discharged on Tuesday and is now recovering at home.

“I’m so grateful that my parents are safe, but I am very shocked about the incident,” said Marlandi. “The place is so safe. You must climb over three gates just to get in the farm, and all the houses have their own electric fences. We’re just thankful that they are alive. I just want to go home and see my parents and hug them.”

Source – Maroela Media

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