The name of the elderly Free State farmer who died after he and his wife were attacked on their farm outside Bloemfontein on Tuesday has been released.
Ian Cameron, director of community safety at Action Society, identified the farmer as 71-year-old TJ Tlali.
“His wife survived the attack but is extremely traumatized and has suffered very serious injuries,” Cameron said on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. “Rural South Africa is under attack.”
Tlali’s wife was found alive under a mattress and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
RNews reported earlier that the couple’s son spoke to them on the phone for the last time on Thursday evening. He tried repeatedly to get hold of them this past weekend – and again on Monday.
“He asked one of his friends to visit his parents and try to find out what was going on,” said Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, police spokeswoman, said.
After the friend arrived at the farm on Tuesday, he noticed nothing unusual at the house. The doors did stand open.
The friend found the farmer in a pool of blood with several wounds on his head and body and immediately called the Kagisanong police and emergency services.
“The police rushed to the scene and found the victim’s wife elsewhere in the house,” added Kareli.
The farmer was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Kareli, the Free State’s provincial unit for organized crime has taken over the case and has already launched a massive search for the attackers.
It is unknown how many suspects were involved in the attack or whether anything was taken from the home.
