VENTERSDORP – Two suspected house robbers appeared in court following their arrest in connection with a house robbery in which a 72-year-old man was robbed at his Ventersdorp home.

The incident took place on Sunday 9 August, when the victim was allegedly awoken by a noise inside his house.

According to police, the suspects allegedly tied the man’s hands and feet before looting the home of items including jewellery, electrical appliances, clothing, a television set, cellphones, as well as the victim’s licensed firearm and ammunition.

Following an intensive investigation, Ventersdorp detectives traced and arrested the two suspects, both aged 28, on Wednesday 19 August.

During the operation, police recovered a firearm, two boxes of ammunition and a drone, along with other items believed to have been stolen during the robbery.

Bongani Motshabi (28), faces charges of house robbery and possession of suspected stolen property, while his suspected accomplice Swhirn Cecil Okoh (28), faces charges of house robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and possession of suspected stolen property.

The two suspects appeared before the Ventersdorp Magistrates Court on Friday 21 August. The case was postponed to Wednesday 26 August, for a formal bail application.

Lieutenant-General Arthur Adams, North West provincial police commissioner, praised the detectives for their swift response, which led to the arrests and recovery of the suspected stolen property and firearm.

He commended the efforts of Ventersdorp police, led by Detective Services’ branch commander Captain Bonita Dry, adding that the recovery of the firearm and ammunition was particularly significant, as removing illegal firearms from the streets could potentially save lives.

Adams said the police would continue pursuing those involved in violent crimes and work to prevent illegal firearms from reaching criminals.