Suspect held in Hankey farm attack released

THE man who was arrested for allegedly attacking a Port Elizabeth businesswoman and her three children inside their Hankey farmhouse over the weekend has been released.

The suspect, 30, had been arrested at 10.30pm on Sunday – less than 48 hours after the attack – but was released yesterday.

The attack happened shortly before midnight on Friday and continued into the early hours of Saturday morning.

Late last night, police spokeswoman Captain Gerda Swart confirmed the suspect had been released yesterday after detectives consulted state prosecutors about the case.

Swart said the suspect, who was meant to be charged in the Hankey Magistrate’s Court today, was released due to insufficient evidence.

Earlier this week, Swart said: “It is alleged the suspect gained entry after firing several shots through a glass door, wounding a 44-year-old woman in the process.

“The suspect took the woman in her vehicle to an ATM in town [Hankey] to withdraw cash.

“While the suspect was withdrawing cash, the victim managed to drive off to another farm and police were alerted.”

The woman, shot in the lower back, has been discharged from hospital. She is not being identified due to the nature of the attack.

The arrest of the man came after police briefly detained one suspect on Sunday morning for questioning and released him.

The firearm used in the attack has still not been found.

A case of house robbery, attempted murder, rape, pointing a firearm, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, theft and abduction is under investigation.