Violent home invasion claims life of Limpopo farmer; police arrest one suspect
Limpopo farmer Attie Mahne, 77, was killed in a brutal farm attack in Tolwe; his wife Pietro was assaulted but managed to raise the alarm.
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A suspect has been arrested in connection with a violent home invasion over the weekend that claimed the life of a 77-year-old Limpopo farmer.
The incident occurred after Attie Mahne had attended to his cattle and returned to his farmhouse when he was taken by surprise by two intruders, they had already overpowered and bound his wife Pietro by that time.
The 28-year-old man was taken into custody on Tuesday and will appear at the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Police have confirmed that a second suspect, who was also involved in the attack at the couple's farm near Baltimore in the Tolwe policing area, is still being sought.
An intensive manhunt was launched for the suspects, involving the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, Tolwe detectives, Bosbeld Misdaad Ondersoeke, and the Bosveld Plaasbeveiliging security company. This operation led to the arrest of the 28-year-old man on Tuesday morning.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, welcomed the arrest. Mahne was attacked on Saturday at around 4 pm.
According to police, he left his farmhouse to check on his cattle. By that time, the two intruders had entered the home and tied up his wife at knifepoint.
When Mahne returned, the intruders pounced on the farmer, bound, and severely assaulted him before the assailants fled with several stolen items, including a firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash.
His wife later managed to free herself and alerted the local farm watch. Responding neighbours and police found Mahne still tied up and unconscious. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene.
Last month, IOL reported that a KwaZulu-Natal farmer, Mike Pryor, was abducted from his home and murdered before his burnt remains were discovered in his vehicle in Mpophomeni.
"It is with deep sorrow and profound shock that I, on behalf of uMngeni Local Municipality, announce the tragic passing of resident Mike Pryor of Kwa Heri Farm in the Indezi Valley, opposite Boschhoek in Ward 3," said Deputy Mayor Sandile Mnikathi in a statement.
According to the municipality, preliminary investigations by the South African Police Service found that Pryor had been taken from his home late at night, and his vehicle was later set alight.
"While the exact details are still under investigation, early indications suggest a possible connection to a disgruntled former employee. The SAPS is actively investigating the matter and is currently searching for a suspect."
DAILY NEWS