WARDEN – Swift action by the police, local farmers, and private security led to the arrest of six suspects following a violent house robbery on a farm near Warden in the Eastern Free State on Friday 5 December.
At approximately 08:30, a 74-year-old farm resident was allegedly approached by a group of unknown men while travelling along a dirt road on his farm after filling a tractor with diesel. They were travelling from the farmhouse in the victim’s direction in his white Toyota Hilux bakkie, fitted with a white canopy.
According to Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, spokesperson for the police in the Free State, five suspects approached the complainant and forcibly took his licensed .22 pistol. One suspect allegedly struck the victim on the head with the back of the firearm. The victim fell down and the suspects fled the scene in the victim’s Toyota Hilux, driving towards the N3 highway.
On the farm, the victim reached the farmhouse and found his 76-year-old wife unharmed in the kitchen. She reported that five unknown men had entered the house through the kitchen, pointed a firearm at her, and instructed her to lead them to the firearm safe. Fearing for her life, she complied.
The suspects stole three licensed firearms belonging to the farmer, a .22 pistol, a .22 L/R .410BR Savage Combination firearm and a 12 gauge Protecta shotgun along with ammunition.
The alarm was immediately raised, activating a joint response from neighbouring farmers, private security companies, and surrounding police stations. This led to a rapid interception.
The stolen white Toyota Hilux was successfully traced and stopped on the N3. Six suspects, aged between 28 and 42, were arrested at the scene. The farmer’s stolen firearms were recovered, and a Suzuki vehicle allegedly used by the suspects was also confiscated.
The complainant sustained an injury to his left eye and was transported to Harrismith for urgent medical attention.
The suspects will face charges of house robbery. They are expected to appear in the Warden Magistrate’s Court soon.
