Grain and beef producer, Herman Botha, his wife, Meisie, their son, Bernard, and Bernard’s wife, Benita, were attacked by between eight and 11 attackers.
Botha has since succumbed to his injuries.
According to reports from Agri Limpopo, Botha and Bernard were attacked when they returned from working with cattle. Botha was assaulted and his firearm taken. Meisie and Benita were attacked on the farm after they had returned from church. The attacks were simultaneous.
The Groblersdal farm watch responded to an emergency call, and took Botha to the Groblersdal rugby field where he was airlifted to a Pretoria hospital.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Agri Limpopo Vice-president Piet Engelbrecht said Botha’s death is a massive loss to the community. Botha employed about 30 permanent labourers.
Agri Limpopo reported that two of the Zimbabwean nationals arrested were in possession of the family members’ firearms, and Botha’s spectacles and cellphone.
Another Zimbabwean farmworker, Botha’s employee, was also arrested as the alleged attackers said they had received information from him.
Botha had been the Agri Loskop safety committee chairperson, a member of the Agri Limpopo safety council, and a former commander in the Loskop Commando unit, among others.
