Ermelo - The body of a farmer was found on his farm in Ermelo, Mpumalanga police said on Tuesday.
The 77-year-old was found by a family friend in the house on his farm De Emigratie on Monday morning, said Colonel Leonard Hlathi.
The family friend arrived at the man's house on Monday morning, when he failed to open the gate of the farm for his workers to enter.
“The man stays alone on the farm and he usually opens the gate for the workers every morning,” said Hlathi.
The family friend, who had a key to the farm, opened the gate and noticed that the sliding door was off the railings.
“He went into the house and found the farmer in one of the bedrooms,” said Hlathi.
He said it was believed that the man was suffocated as he was found with a piece of plastic over his face.
“He did not have any other visible injuries but an autopsy will be done to determine the exact details of his death,” said Hlathi.
One of the farmer's two firearms was also missing from the house.
“We believe that the firearm was stolen but police will investigate the matter and determine if any other possessions were stolen from the farmer's house,” said Hlathi.
No arrests were made and police were investigating. - Sapa