SHORTLY after 2pm on Saturday, Armand and Doulina Slabbert of Pongola became the latest victims of a farm attack.
As confirmed by Colonel Jay Naicker of the KZN SAPS Media Centre, criminals armed with rifles descended on the Slabbert’s farm in Pongola and accosted the couple before robbing them at gunpoint. They stole firearms, money and groceries.
According to a neighbour, Armand’s disabled brother was tied up and the couple was taken to their bedroom where both Armand and Doulina were also tied up.
The suspects then reportedly dripped burning plastic on Doulina’s stomach to force her to reveal where the valuables were kept.
The suspects took the keys to both the Slabbert’s vehicles, but Armand freed himself and the suspects fled without taking the vehicles.
Doulina was treated in hospital for her burns and later discharged.
Pongola SAPS have opened a case of house robbery.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, on Tuesday expressed his ‘utter disgust’ about the incident, saying attacking, robbing and torturing women is ‘totally abhorrent and represents the lowest decline of morals in our communities’.
‘We are indeed sickened by this latest farm attack on this couple. We strongly condemn it and shall monitor the case until there are arrests and convictions,’ he said.
