FREE State police are looking for three men who shot and wounded a farmer in an attempted robbery early yesterday morning

The 26-year-old farmer told the police he was awoken by barking dogs and saw three men on his farm in Kromellenboog, Bethlehem.

"He was sleeping with his wife at about 1.30am when he heard his dogs barking. He woke up, took his firearm and went outside to investigate," police spokesman Majamg Mosupa said yesterday.

"While he was busy looking around he heard a cellphone ringing and came face to face with the suspect."

The farmer and one of the intruders exchanged fire, which resulted in the farmer being shot in his left thigh.

"The farmer was taken to the Bethlehem Medi-Clinic for treatment," Mosupa said.

"He was later discharged but at the moment we are not sure whether the suspect was also wounded in the shootout."

Mosupa said the men left the farm empty-handed.

"They didn't take anything and fled on foot. We are investigating a case of attempted murder and would like to appeal to the public to help us with information," Mosupa said.

The attack took place exactly a week after Sekoli Lebabo, a farmworker, was attacked and shot on the farm Spioekop in Fouriesburg last week Thursday. Lebabo made a full recovery and was discharged from hospital the following day.

Bethlehem cluster commander Brigadier Johannes Tsotesi said: "It is our duty to protect the farming community and we will work around the clock to arrest the suspects. We appeal to the public to assist us with information."