Agriculture, land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza says she was shocked to learn that a family of five – a mother, father and three children – were killed on a farm outside Harrismith in the Free State.
Police spokesperson Motantsi Makhele says the bodies were discovered on Saturday morning on Toekoms farm by a traditional healer who says he had an appointment with the family.
Upon his arrival, he decided to enter the house after the family did not respond to his knocking. It was then that he made the gruesome discovery.
Didiza says she condemns the “barbaric act with the contempt it deserves” and calls on the community of Harrismith to assist the police with information so that perpetrators can be brought to book.
“I also call upon the law enforcement agencies to work around the clock to arrest whoever has done this gruesome act.”
Makhele says the deceased parents were 47 and 41 years old, and the children were 23, 16 and 8. All of them had multiple stab wounds. The motive for the killings are unknown and the matter has now been escalated to the Hawks.
The minister emphasised that the safety of farming communities are greatly important. “They play a very crucial role in the agricultural sector, especially in the production of food for all South Africans,” concludes Didiza.
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