A 68-year-old Addo farmer and his 65-year-old wife were robbed at gunpoint on Sunday, February 5 by four men, two of whom were wearing police uniforms.
Another suspect was dressed in partial police attire with only the police shirt and a pair of jeans, while the remaining suspect was in civilian clothing.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, it is alleged at about 16:30, the four suspects arrived at the farm in Selborne and pressed the buzzer to the house. When the farmer went out, he was informed that the “civilian” with them was a suspect and had stolen cables on the farm.
She said the farmer was requested to accompany them to a canal on his farm to be inspected with one suspect lagging behind while the others proceeded ahead.
“One of the suspects went to the house, gun-pointed the woman and demanded money and firearms. The remaining suspects returned with the farmer who was allegedly assaulted while in the orchards,” said Naidu.
She said the couple was tied up and locked in a room while the house was ransacked.
“A total of eight hunting rifles, two firearms (9mm and .38 revolver), 100 rounds of various caliber specialised ammunition, a laptop, a pair of binoculars and a cell phone were taken. The value of the firearms is about R250 000,” said Naidu.
She said the suspects fled in the complainant’s Toyota Fortuner which was later found abandoned about 20km’s away.
Naidu said a case of house robbery is under investigation.
Police are advising communities to be wary of criminals posing as police officials. Every police official is in possession an identification card and name badge.
“As a civilian, you are entitled to request identification before allowing anyone into your premises.”
