An Odendaalsrus couple have been arrested for attempted murder after they tried to burn their “demon possessed” babies in an open fire in their yard.
The heroic actions of a local radio presenter, Sean Barnard, and a concerned neighbour saved the two babies from certain death on Tuesday (19/07), when they confronted the 29-year-old panga wielding father and his 21-year-old wife, who had declared they wanted to burn the two babies alive.
The GoldFM presenter was travelling to Welkom from Riebeeckstad when he got a call from his friend asking for urgent assistance in Odendaalsrus.
When Barnard arrived at the house, he found two babies being held against their will near a fire by what he perceived to be an unidentified man.
Barnard says the man was saying that he wanted to burn the children alive because they had demons.
Barnard immediately contacted his colleagues Brian Emmenis, the station manager, and Ryan Ellis, who are both former police officers. Ellis contacted the police in Welkom and within minutes Capt. Wassie Wasmuth of the Welkom K9 Unit responded to the developing situation.
To secure the children, Barnard and his friend had to break the property’s gate down. They then tackled the armed man, and they secured him until the police arrived to take him and his wife into custody.
Barnard’s heroic deed saved the two children from a fiery death, and both babies are unharmed after their harrowing experience.
“A huge thanks and well done to the two men who, without hesitation, jumped on the situation to save the two children,” says Emmenis.
“Also a huge thank you to the policemen who quickly responded to the incident and apprehended the assailant. The tense confrontation was diffused without violence.”
Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the SAPS in Lejweleputswa, confirms the incident occurred at about 11:45 on Tuesday.
“When the police arrived at the scene, they found the fire and the couple trying to burn their two children, a baby boy and girl.”
Thakeng says the couple was arrested for attempted murder and will appear in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court. The babies have been taken to a place of safety.
