Broederstroom couple survive hours of torture in farm attack; seven firearms stolen, no arrests yet

An elderly couple on a game farm in Broederstroom, near Hartbeespoort Dam in North West, were overpowered, stripped, beaten, burned with boiling water and subjected to prolonged threats during a violent home invasion on the evening of Sunday, 1 November 2026.

Les Brett, 67, and his wife Natasha, 68, were attacked at their property around 19:00–19:30 by three masked, armed men. According to accounts from the couple and close family friend Warren Geddes, the attackers entered through an unlocked wooden sliding door. They demanded money and the keys to a safe, claiming knowledge that one of the occupants operated a kiosk at a nearby resort.

The couple were restrained and separated for much of the ordeal, which lasted approximately three hours. Reports state the attackers beat them, poured boiling or hot water on them, stabbed or cut them, and forced an AK-47 rifle barrel into Les Brett’s mouth. When he initially refused to hand over the safe keys, the attackers used bolt cutters on Natasha Brett’s nipples and repeatedly threatened to rape her. The threats and assault stopped after the keys were surrendered.

The suspects then accessed the safe and fled with seven licensed firearms of different calibres (all registered in Les Brett’s name), ammunition, two cellphones, a laptop, cash and other personal items.

SRU High Risk Security received a call for assistance around 22:30 and arrived within minutes, along with emergency services. Drones were deployed to search the surrounding area, but no suspects were located at the time. The couple initially received on-scene medical attention. Les Brett later sought further treatment. Published photographs show extensive facial bruising and a severe black eye on Les Brett, consistent with the described assault. Natasha Brett sustained facial bruising, swelling and other injuries.

North West police, through Hartbeespoortdam SAPS, have opened a case of house robbery. Spokesperson Sergeant Kelebogile Morake confirmed the three unidentified suspects (described as African males wearing face masks) entered via the unlocked door, demanded money, gained access to the safe and stole the firearms and other items. Police described the male victim’s injuries as minor and said he sought medical attention after being threatened and having hot water poured on him. No arrests had been made as of the latest available statements on 3–5 November 2026.

Les Brett, known for his work in wildlife conservation and anti-poaching (including founding the Dung Beetle Bush School and sometimes referred to as the “Rhino Whisperer”), is a former Special Forces and police member. He has trained international personnel in bushcraft and tracking. In his own account, he described the attack as military-style and noted that the rifle in his mouth failed to fire when the trigger was pulled. He has stated that reports of his wife being raped are false; the threats were made but the rape did not occur.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams condemned the attack, describing it as concerning that criminals target people in their homes. He urged residents to strengthen security and report suspicious activity.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Warrant Officer Gregory Kwadi of Hartbeespoortdam SAPS Detectives on 082 373 9636.

The incident forms part of a recent cluster of violent attacks on farms and smallholdings in North West. It follows the 28 October attack on Donovan Marx near Ventersdorp (in which suspects have been arrested and charged) and the earlier killing of Hannetjie van Zyl near Ottosdal. Police continue to investigate the Broederstroom case as a house robbery while security structures and community groups have highlighted the level of violence involved.