NORTH WEST. – Les Brett and his wife, Natasha, were tortured and seriously assaulted during a farm attack in the Broederstroom area on Sunday night. The attackers allegedly attempted to force the couple to hand over their firearms. According to a friend, the couple were assaulted, burned with boiling water, and threatened with further assault and rape of the female victim.
Sergeant Kelebogile Morake, police spokesperson, told Nuusflits the suspects allegedly gained access to the house through an unlocked wooden sliding door. They allegedly demanded money and claimed to know that one of the residents operates a spaza shop at a nearby location. The suspects then allegedly accessed a safe and stole seven firearms of different calibres, all allegedly licensed in the man's name, as well as ammunition.
Les Brett is known for his work in wildlife conservation. He sustained minor injuries and according to police later received medical attention. The attackers allegedly threatened him with hot water and attempted to force him to provide information.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can contact AO Gregory Kwadi from Hartbeespoortdam's detective unit on 082 373 9636.
According to the Strategic Response Rescue Unit (SRU), they were called and arrived at the scene within four minutes. Helicopters were used to search the area, but no suspects were found. The SRU said medical assistance was arranged for the couple. Members assisted alongside the community policing forum (CPF) and Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Services (HEMS).
The security organisation warns that firearms stolen in such attacks may potentially be used in other crimes later. It has also appealed to rural residents to report suspicious activities, not to conduct their own investigations or attempt to confront suspects, and to keep their alarm and emergency systems operational.
Warren Geddes, a family friend, said in a social media post that the couple was attacked by three assailants and tortured for hours after they demanded that Les hand over the safe keys. Geddes said Les is known as the "Rhino Whisperer" because of his wildlife conservation work and that the attack on the elderly couple has left him furious and deeply saddened.
"So with a sore heart and angry beyond words, the farm attack in Broederstroom last night was my close friend Les Brett and his wife Natasha. They were attacked around 7:30 p.m. by 3 BM and tortured for hours before they got away. They were beaten, burned with boiling water, when Les wouldn't give them the keys to the safe they took bolt cutters to cut her nipples off and rape her. Thank god they stopped when he gave them the keys. Les is known as the Rhino whisperer and is well known in international circles in his wild life conservation. This attack on our old people is despicable beyond words. I'm not holding my breath for the saps to do anything because mostly they don't care. I hope they rot in hell. For all you people out there that is denying this is happening to our farmers well **** you, your day will come…"
Sources: SAPS, Strategic Response Rescue Unit, Warren Geddes
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
