According to reports from both the KZN SAPS and The Witness newspaper, Engar and his wife, Razia, as well as farm worker Fortunate Hlongwane, were accosted by five armed men at the Engars’ Noodhulp Farm at around midday on 6 December.
The attackers reportedly shot Hlongwane in the stomach and legs, and tortured Mohamed and Razia Engar with beatings and a hot iron. Mohamed Engar was reportedly also stabbed.
The farmer died from his wounds in hospital, while Hlongwane remains hospitalised for his injuries.
“The suspects ransacked the house and took all the valuables, money and a motor vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered,” said KZN SAPS spokesperson Captain Thulani Zwane. “Winterton police are investigating, and no arrests have been made at this stage.”
Koos Marais of the KZN Agricultural Union’s Security Desk confirmed that Engar had been attacked at Noodhulp Farm earlier this year.
‘Landowners need to step up their security. It’s concerning how many landowners have been attacked twice or more and still don’t have appropriate security measures in place for themselves, their families and their farm workers,” said Marais.
