Two armed robbers overpowered an elderly couple on their avo farm in the Agatha area of Tzaneen over the weekend. According to police reports Dawid (84) and his wife Liesbet Grobbelaar (79) were relaxing in their living room on Saturday evening, the 8th of June when they were confronted by the two African males.
The elderly couple were overpowered and assaulted with what was believed to be a steel blunt object before the robbers tied them up with shoe laces and switched both the couple’s cell phones off. They then demanded the keys to the safe and cash.
It is reported that Mrs Grobbelaar was repeatedly hit over her head and Mr Grobbelaar was kicked in the ribs as they demanded their cooperation.
Once in possession of the keys to the safe however, the two assailants were unable to open the safe at which time it is said that Mrs Grobbelaar offered to assist them if they were to untie her hands and feet.
The robbers agreed and she opened the safe for them which they then emptied and fled the scene with five firearms, ammunition and other valuable family heirlooms including a historical rifle and jewellery.
Once the robbers fled the house Mrs Grobbelaar returned to her husband who was still tied up in the living room and she ran to the porch to shout for help.
The couple’s son, Dawie Grobbelaar, on the neighbouring farm heard his mother’s cries for help and rushed over to assist. During this time, he informed the local Farm Watch who immediately mobilized and within minutes the area was teeming with armed responders including the local police.
A joint search operation was immediately activated to track down the suspects. The team followed the tracks of the suspects using drone technology and the surveillance systems located on the farm, but the suspects noticed them.
A short exchange of fire between the two assailants and the security teams ensued the suspects jumped over a fence, dropping two of the five stolen firearms with some ammunition on the ground before disappearing into the darkness.
At the time of this article no arrests had been affected in the matter and the suspects are still afoot, but police investigations are underway as the matter is being taken very seriously.
We have spoken to the couple’s son, Dawie Grobbelaar and he said that his parents were recuperating steadily and are surrounded by their relatives and loved ones. The Agatha Community Forum has issued a R10 000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the two suspects.
We have requested an interview with the elderly couple to recount the horrific events that unfolded on that fateful evening.
