Les Brett breaks silence on brutal Broederstroom farm attack

The Broederstroom attack on conservationist Les Brett and his wife Natasha has made headlines around the world.

But some of what was reported is wrong, according to Les himself.

As police search for the three armed men behind the three-hour ordeal, he has spoken out to correct the record.

SEE | Donovan Marx: First hospital photo released after farm attack

Les, 67, told local newspaper Kormorant that reports claiming his wife had been raped were false.

He also said the attackers threatened to cut her nipples.

A family friend had earlier told other outlets that the attackers had started doing so.

What police have confirmed about the Broederstroom attack

North West police spokesperson Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said on Tuesday, 3 November, that Hartbeespoortdam police are investigating a case of house robbery. 

Seven licensed firearms and ammunition were stolen. 

No arrests had been made at the time.

North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams condemned the attack.

What happened on the farm

Three armed men overpowered the couple at their home on a game farm in Broederstroom, near Hartbeespoort, at about 19:00 on Sunday, 1 November.

The couple were tied up, beaten, stabbed and burned with boiling water as the attackers demanded access to a safe. Les said the attack began when one of the men hit him in the face with a bolt cutter.

He said the attackers also forced the barrel of a rifle into his mouth.

A private security company received a call for help at about 22:30.

Its team used drones to search the area, but found no trace of the suspects.

Who is Les Brett?

Les is known for his work in wildlife conservation and the fight against poaching.

A family friend, Warren Geddes, described him as the “Rhino Whisperer”, saying he is known internationally for his conservation work.

According to his professional biography, he is a former member of the Special Forces and the police service.

Brett couple attack: farm attack or house robbery?

Geddes has criticised police for recording the case as an ordinary house robbery.

But “farm attack” is not a crime on its own under South African law. It is a general term that covers offences such as robbery, murder and assault on farms and smallholdings.

Recording the case as house robbery does not stop it from being treated under SAPS’s rural safety framework.

Three North West attacks in a month

The Broederstroom attack came just days after Ventersdorp cattle farmer Donovan Marx was attacked on 28 October.

Police said he was shot, stabbed and had his ears cut off.

Marx survived but has since suffered a medical setback, his family said. Police have arrested five suspects in that case.

Earlier, on 5 October, Hannetjie van Zyl, 55, was attacked and killed as she opened the gate to her farm about 17km outside Ottosdal.

Two men, aged 28 and 29, have been charged with her murder and robbery.

Political reaction to the Broederstroom attack

The Freedom Front Plus has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of ignoring farm attacks.

Government officials, including Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp and North West Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams, have condemned the recent attacks.

Anyone with information about the Broederstroom attack can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS app.

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