A South African farmer was stabbed to death and his wife scalded with boiling water by four robbers in balaclavas as the couple were heading to church.

Tool and Liezel Wessels, both 55, were leaving their home in Bonnievale, Western Cape, to take part in choir practice on Monday night when they were attacked.

The police said the pair were held hostage, but that Mrs Wessels managed to escape despite a stab wound and being burned with boiling water.

The mother-of-two alerted the police who later found Mr Wessels dead 200 yards from the house.

Tool and Liezel Wessels, both 55, with their daughters Annelie and Jana - the husband and wife were set upon by four armed robbers as they left their home for church in Bonnievale, Western Cape on Monday evening

Mr Wessels was discovered dead by police around 200 yards away from the house after his wife was able to escape and alert the authorities

Mrs Wessels was reportedly stabbed in her chest and had water burns down her back, the house was ransacked and the safe was missing.

Police said on Wednesday they had arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the murder and attempted murder.

Colonel Andrè Traut told News 24: 'One of the firearms stolen during the incident, a .22 rifle has been seized. The suspect is scheduled to make a court appearance once he has been charged.'

The sisters, Annelie and Jana Wessels, both students at Stellenbosch University, are said to be too afraid to return home

The robbers are understood to have made off with guns and cash.

Their two daughters Annelie and Jana are reportedly too terrified to return home.

'I do not want to know the details,' Annelie, 23, told Netwerk 24, 'I have asked everybody not to tell me.'

The daughters, both students at Stellenbosch University, have been at their mother's side in hospital, News 24 reported.

Mrs Wessels is said to a be an accountant for one of the local wineries.

One of the Wessels' friends, Lize Simon, wrote on Facebook: 'Lord, I deliver the Wessels to you tonight. I pray for Aunt Liezel for speedy healing and recovery.

'Lord, I pray that you will bless this family. I pray that you cure their hearts piece by piece. I pray that you take the dreaded pictures out of their mind.'