The Free State police are searching for a group unknown armed men regarding the shooting spree and robbery at three taverns in Ward 22 Harrismith.
The shooting spree claimed the lives of two people and three others were hospitalised with severe gunshots wounds.
Brig. Motantsi Makhele, spokesperson for the Free State police said the shooting and robberies at two taverns occurred between 21:40 and 22:50 on Sunday, 26 May, and the third on Monday, 27 May, in the early morning at about 01:50.
He said armed men robbed some patrons cellphones and money and further hijacked a car.
He said the police were investigating three business robberies, three attempted murder counts and two murder counts as well as a vehicle hijacking case.
Makhele said the suspects, between three and four had their faces covered with balaclavas, making it difficult to be identified.
He said at the first tavern in Intabazwe, at about 21:40, the armed gang robbed a 48-year-old male of his VW Polo.
He said an armed gang ordered patrons to lie on the ground and thereafter robbed patrons of their belongings, cellphones and liquor, and took keys from the car owner.
“The vehicle was later recovered abandoned about 3 km from the scene,” said Makhele.
“At the third tavern operating as a cafe situated in Khubeka street, 42nd Hill, they took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register and robbed patrons of their belongings including cellphones as well as liquor. In the process, five people were shot, resulting in one fatality at the scene and another in the hospital,” said Makhele.
He said the provincial commissioner has ordered the deployment of adequate resources to work on the detection of the suspects with the hope bringing the culprits to book.
“A team of skilful investigators has been established to thoroughly investigate the incidents and apprehension of the suspects,” he said.
Members of the public with helpful information that can lead to arrest and conviction of the robbers are requested to contact Crime Stop number on 086-00-10111 or provide such information using MySAPS App.
