Midlands farm attackers still at large

Yesterday, four men entered a farmhouse at Bishopstowe and locked a woman inside the bathroom, before ransacking the house.

They made off with R14 500 in cash among other things.

At the time the victim, who is in her 50s, was with her 10-month-old grandson. Police say she and the child were not physically hurt.

The police's Thulani Zwane says she has opened a case of robbery at the Bishopstowe Police Station.

"The suspects took cash as well as a pistol and two cellphones before they fled. No arrests have been made at this stage and the case is still being investigated. We are appealing to anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward," he said. 

The incident took place on the same day that the South African Human Rights Commission released a report on farm attacks and murders in the country. 

The report states the South Africa Police Service and the NPA should do more to curb such attacks. 

Commenting on the report, agricultural union KWANALU's Koos Marais said farmers are being seen as easy targets as help is usually some distance away.

"There's no policing within kilometres normally or security companies. Also farms [are] not easy to fortify. You cannot put a high fence around a farm and expect people to stay out of it. Farmers are rather trusting people and the element of surprise in the hands of the perpetrator," he said. 

The report has revealed there have been 148 farm attacks in the country this year in which 33 people have been murdered.

 (File Photo: Gallo Images)