Free State farmer set on fire in latest farm attack
Miraculously, a farmer from Koffiefontein in the Free State was able to drive out two black attackers with his firearm after they ambushed him, poured petrol over him and set him on fire.
Published: October 13, 2020, 11:12 am
KoffiefonteinThe assailants also set fire to the warehouse on the farm. Col. Police spokesperson Thandi Mbambo confirmed that Andries Myburgh (31) was attacked on Monday at around 13:45.
Myburgh had been eating lunch in his homestead on the farm Vandermerwesdam, between Koffiefontein and Petrusburg, when he smelled smoke.
When he walked out to see what was burning, he was hit over the head with a heavy object. Myburgh, however, managed to push the attacker away from him.
“He was allegedly attacked by a second attacker with a knife and was also doused in fuel,” said Mbambo.
Myburgh was able to pull out his firearm and he fired several shots in the air, at which point the two black attackers fled. Myburgh then realized that he was on fire. He ran to a pool of water and jumped in to put out the flames. The warehouse on Myburgh’s farm however has been burned to the ground.
The two attackers fled on foot and Myburgh immediately called the police for help. Despite alerting law enforcement right away, no one has been arrested yet and the police have no clues about who may have been responsible. Neither Myburgh nor his workers know the two men.
Fortunately, his injuries were not serious and he was treated by paramedics. Farmers from the area are now searching for the attackers and drones are being used. Both suspects are black and one is about 2 m tall.