Malandela George Mbela (48) has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to make his second appearance before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 October 2025.
Mbela first appeared in court on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, facing charges related to the robbery of a 70-year-old farmer, his 68-year-old wife, and their 34-year-old daughter on their farm in the Buffelshoek area, located on the R500 (Parys/Fochville) road.
The accused was arrested in Parys on Monday, 13 October 2025, after he voluntarily handed himself over to the police.
According to the allegations, the incident occurred on the morning of Sunday, 12 October 2025. Mbela, who is reported to have been a previous employee on the farm, allegedly overpowered the farmer’s wife and daughter while they were inside a storeroom. He is accused of assaulting both women and locking them inside the storeroom.
He then proceeded to the farmhouse, where he allegedly overpowered and assaulted the 70-year-old farmer. Mbela subsequently fled the scene driving the couple’s Toyota Hilux bakkie.
The two women managed to escape shortly after the incident and alerted the police and neighbouring farmers. The stolen Toyota Hilux was later spotted in Parys, but the suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot before his eventual surrender.
All three victims were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The farmer was admitted for care and was ultimately discharged the following day, Monday, 13 October 2025.
