Elderly woman killed, man assaulted in Pretoria robbery

A elderly woman was killed and her husband critically injured during a robbery at their home in Shere, east of Pretoria, police said on Saturday.

Jemima Lemmer, 81 was burnt with an iron on her face and assaulted by four men on Friday morning, Captain Marissa van der Merwe said.

"She died at the scene."

The men also attacked Lemmer's 84-year-old husband Richard with a hammer.

"He was hit on the face with a hammer and is in a critical condition in hospital," Van der Merwe said.

Richard Lemmer managed to free himself and went to his son, who lives about 300 metres away, for help.

The police and paramedics where then called to the scene.

The men stole two cell phones and a briefcase, but no money was taken as the couple did not have cash in their house.

No arrests have been made and police were investigating, said Van der Merwe.