MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – A prominent businessman and his wife were seriously injured and robbed this week in an attack by five assailants, posing as police officials, in their home in a luxury residential area in town.

The prominent businessman and industrialist from Shayandima, 55-year-old Mr Chung Tu and his 46-year-old wife Chien Hwa, were brutally attacked, assaulted and robbed of a large amount of cash, a shotgun and their vehicle. According to the police, Mr Tu lost his one finger in the vicious attack. He was transferred to a hospital in Polokwane, where he was later joined by his wife.

According to a police statement, the five assailants arrived at the Barnard Street residence of Mr Tu late Tuesday afternoon, looking for Mr Tu. They allegedly told the domestic servant that they wanted to discuss some business matters with him. They allegedly displayed a police badge and told her that they were from the police.

The domestic servant, Ms Agnes Bali, informed them through the security door that Mr Tu was still at work. They told her that they would wait outside. When she turned round to go back into the house, she was surprised by one of the assailants, who grabbed her by her neck and dragged her downstairs to the kitchen where she was tied up and gagged. The five men then started searching through the house for money.

When the owner and his wife arrived home, the assailants took cover in the house and attacked them upon entry. They were taken to the main bedroom, where they were severely assaulted and tied up. The assailants then allegedly found the keys to the safe and removed a large amount of cash. They demanded more money from Mr Tu, but he indicated that there was nothing more.

According to the police report, the men then cut off the small finger from Mr Tu’s right hand while his wife and the domestic worker had to look on.

The couple was subsequently locked in a wardrobe.

The suspects then went to the garage where they took the couple’s Opel Astra and left. The vehicle was later found abandoned at the Eltivillas bus terminal.

The severely traumatized couple was discovered by a family member who returned from a weekend outing.

The local police opened a case of armed robbery against five unknown male suspects.