(TDB) - A winegrower has been shot and killed in Stellenbosch adding to growing concern over a “sudden wave” of attacks on farmers throughout the Western Cape.

Farmer Joubert Conradie, 47, of Uitkyk Farm in Klapmuts, died on Tuesday after he was shot by intruders in the early hours of the morning, and died shortly afterwards during emergency surgery, police have confirmed.

“The victim reacted to a noise in his residence [just before 01:00] when he was attacked and shot by unknown suspects, who fled empty handed,” police said in a statement, as reported by South Africa’s News 24.

DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard posted a message on Facebook on Tuesday from Fanie Hattingh, of Mount Vernon Farm, on behalf of Marlene Conradie, of Uitkyk Farm in Klapmuts, confirming Joubert Conradie’s death and decrying “another farm attack…. another murder.”

“Joubert Conradie passed away at Stellenbosch MediClinic following a tragic shooting incident on Uitkyk Farm in Klapmuts around 01:30 this morning,” she wrote. “The patient was rushed to hospital and treated by a team of Emergency doctors and surgeons on arrival. He unfortunately passed away during Emergency Surgery at the hospital.