Richter Marthinus Gerhardus "Martiens"

Age 68. Richter, aged 68, was at his farmhouse at Vygeboompoort near Dwaalboom, outside Thabazimbi, when an unknown number of attackers entered at about 2:00 a.m. He was killed during the attack. His wife was also assaulted and seriously injured; reports say she was burned with a hot/unknown object. The attackers then ransacked the house and stole household goods, firearms, phones and other property before fleeing in the couple's VW Amarok.  The stolen vehicle was later spotted in Bela-Bela. Police pursued it and a shoot-out followed. One suspect was killed and another wounded and arrested. Police said both were believed to have been employed on the same farm.