THE "balaclava gang" has struck again in Thabong, Free State.
This time they attacked a 59-year-old widower, raped and dosed him with paraffin before setting him alight in his home in Meloding at about 3am on Sunday.
The man escaped death by the skin of his teeth and managed to extinguish the fire. He was taken to Katleho Hospital in Virginia for treatment.
Last week police said they were concerned about attacks on residents by a gang wearing balaclavas. These robberies occur mostly at night and at dawn.
The police have now launched a manhunt for the "cruel" men terrorising the community.
"It is alleged that two men broke the door of the shack, entered and threatened him with knives. They demanded cash and the man gave them R200. But they said he must have more because his wife had died on Friday," police spokesperson Warrant Officer Malebo Khosana said.
"They beat him up and he gave them another R300. The two allegedly raped the man and afterwards doused him with paraffin before setting him alight. They then fled the scene.
The station commander of Thabong SAPS, Brigadier Cois Muller, has appealed to members of the community to be vigilant and not fall victim to the robbers.
"It appears that they are targeting people they know have substantial amounts of cash in their homes," Muller said.
Recently a man was found dead in his rented shack, which was also ransacked.
In a separate incident, a man survived a brutal attack despite sustaining serious injuries.
"They demanded money and started burning his face with a hot iron. They then held him down and stabbed him with a sharp object.
"Afterwards the two men left with valuable items and a substantial amount of the victim's money," Khosana said.
Anyone with information on the attacks that can assist the police to arrest the two criminals is requested to contact Sergeant Tshidiso Qhamakoane of Thabong police station on 071-409-3300 or on 057-910-2300.
Man (59) beaten and set alight
THE "balaclava gang" has struck again in Thabong, Free State.
This time they attacked a 59-year-old widower, raped and dosed him with paraffin before setting him alight in his home in Meloding at about 3am on Sunday.
The man escaped death by the skin of his teeth and managed to extinguish the fire. He was taken to Katleho Hospital in Virginia for treatment.
Last week police said they were concerned about attacks on residents by a gang wearing balaclavas. These robberies occur mostly at night and at dawn.
The police have now launched a manhunt for the "cruel" men terrorising the community.
"It is alleged that two men broke the door of the shack, entered and threatened him with knives. They demanded cash and the man gave them R200. But they said he must have more because his wife had died on Friday," police spokesperson Warrant Officer Malebo Khosana said.
"They beat him up and he gave them another R300. The two allegedly raped the man and afterwards doused him with paraffin before setting him alight. They then fled the scene.
The station commander of Thabong SAPS, Brigadier Cois Muller, has appealed to members of the community to be vigilant and not fall victim to the robbers.
"It appears that they are targeting people they know have substantial amounts of cash in their homes," Muller said.
Recently a man was found dead in his rented shack, which was also ransacked.
In a separate incident, a man survived a brutal attack despite sustaining serious injuries.
"They demanded money and started burning his face with a hot iron. They then held him down and stabbed him with a sharp object.
"Afterwards the two men left with valuable items and a substantial amount of the victim's money," Khosana said.
Anyone with information on the attacks that can assist the police to arrest the two criminals is requested to contact Sergeant Tshidiso Qhamakoane of Thabong police station on 071-409-3300 or on 057-910-2300.
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