A 65-year-old farmer from Steytlerville was assaulted with an ashtray and biltong slicer after he refused to hand over his firearm to a suspect on Sunday.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu says the farmer, who lives alone, was sitting in his living room when an unknown man entered his house through an unlocked back door.
Colonel Naidu says the suspect claimed to be needing help with diesel and said that his car was stranded about 5 km from the farm.
She says the farmer got 2 litres of diesel from his garage and drove the suspect to the scene.
Upon arrival, there was no car and the two drove back to the farmhouse.
Colonel Naidu says the suspect then asked for a lift to town but also requested a firearm as he was afraid to be attacked in the location.
She says when the farmer refused, he was assaulted.
The complainant eventually handed over his 9 mm pistol before being tied up, gagged with his shirt, and dragged into a room.
The suspect fled in the farmer's vehicle that was found abandoned by the farm gate.
At this point, a case of house robbery is under investigation but more charges could be added as the investigation unfolds.
