Two held for Free State farm attack

Johannesburg - Two men have been arrested for allegedly attacking an elderly couple on their farm Sterkfontein, in Vierfontein, Free State police said on Friday.

A 27-year-old man, a former employee of the couple, was arrested for house robbery, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm in Orkney, North West, on Thursday night, police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng said.

A 23-year-old Lesotho man was arrested at a neighbouring farm on Monday. He too was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm.

He appeared in the Viljoenskroon Magistrate's Court on Wednesday and the matter for was postponed to Wednesday for further investigation, said Thakeng.

The men allegedly attacked farmer Buks Swanepoel, 82 and his wife Cornelia, 80 on their farm on Monday afternoon.

"The couple were stabbed with a sharp object on their heads and the suspects took the couple's car keys," said Thakeng.

He said the men fled, throwing the car keys to the ground, when a farm worker arrived.

The 27-year-old man will appear in the Viljoenskroon Magistrate's Court on Monday.