Attack on farmer reignites fears over rural safety

WEST

- MURRAY SWART

Coast farmer Hugo Louw was left critically injured after confronting suspected sheep thieves near Lamberts Bay, an incident that has renewed concerns about stock theft and rural safety in farming communities.According to police, the 56-year-old man was assaulted on Thursday at 11.55am on the R365 near a farm outside Lamberts Bay.

Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said the victim sustained several head wounds.

Van Wyk said two suspects were later spotted hiding in bushes near the scene.

"The suspects had blood stains on their clothes and near the scene a slaughtered sheep was found that was hidden in the bushes," he said.