Free State Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Solly Lesia, has praised the South African Police Service (SAPS), the farming community, private security, and other stakeholders for their swift response in the fatal shooting of a farmer and sexual assault of his wife in Heilbron this past week. The farmer was attacked on his property, and his 34-year-old wife was rushed to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Lesia commended the coordinated search operation that led to the arrest of 13 suspects — 11 men and two women. Police also recovered 22 stolen sheep, a firearm, a minibus, and several household items believed to have been taken during the attack. “This rapid response and the successful arrest of the suspects demonstrate what can be achieved when the police and the community work together. We will continue to act decisively against any form of violent crime.” said Lesia.
The suspects have been charged with murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery, and stock theft — crimes that have left the Free State farming community
shaken and fearful. In a related case, Lesego Makole, a livestock farmer from Botshabelo, shared his frustration after losing 25 sheep to theft. Despite knowing where the animals were taken, the livestock was never recovered.
“Since we had not yet opened a case, a warrant officer from Botshabelo told us they couldn’t help. Later, another incident happened where 12 cows with calves were stolen. We opened a case and managed to retrieve our livestock from a farm in Thaba Nchu, but the perpetrators fled before police could catch them,” said Makole. Makole alleged that some perpetrators are foreign nationals who rent vacant farms and use them for illegal livestock operations.
“These farms were meant for agricultural development, but instead they’re being misused. Even with patrols and cameras, theft continues. The government should repossess these vacant farms,” he added.
Makole urged SAPS to strengthen its stock theft units and called for better coordination with Home Affairs to deal with undocumented foreign nationals allegedly involved in rural crimes. “Stock theft in Botshabelo is a nightmare. If I didn’t know better, I’d say some police work with the thieves because nothing ever happens to them. Everyone in the livestock community knows who’s behind these thefts— so why can’t the police act?” he asked.
Jakkals Le Roux, chairperson of the Free State Farmers Association, said while SAPS’s quick responses are appreciated, farmers must remain vigilant. “We know the police can’t be everywhere, so we urge our members to stay alert, install alarms, and join safety groups. Community cooperation is key to protecting our livestock,” said Le Roux. In another breakthrough, members of the Bloemspruit Crime Prevention Unit arrested two foreign nationals, aged 34 and 37, and a 25-year-old woman after receiving a tip-off about cheap meat being sold in Bergman Square, Bloemspruit.
According to Lieutenant General Thabo Covane, police acted after a prospective buyer contacted the sellers. “A deal was struck, but the buyer insisted on live sheep. The police were alerted and found the suspects with eight carcasses and one live sheep. The three were immediately arrested, and our visible policing team processed the scene,” said Covane.
The suspects were also linked to a robbery in Martin Dale, where a 36-year-old victim was tied up and robbed of 21 sheep and ammunition. Covane warned that livestock-related crimes tend to increase during the festive season, urging farmers to step up security patrols and report suspicious activity.
