LIMPOPO – Provincial police appealed to the public for information which can lead to the arrest of five men involved in a farm attack in the Ohrigstad area outside Burgersfort, earlier this week.
The victims, a 68-year-old man, his wife (58) and his 80-year-old mother-in-law, were attacked, assaulted and robbed on Friday afternoon (January 28).
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo explained that the man was accosted by five armed suspects after he arrived home at around 14:45. “The suspects then forced the man to the main house where they encountered his wife and mother-in-law. All three victims were tied up and assaulted,” he added.
During the incident the suspects demanded the safe keys and then took the couple’s wedding rings. “A laptop, cellphone, binoculars, credit cards, passports and undisclosed amount of cash in foreign currency were also taken by the suspects who then fled the scene in the couple’s bakkie.”
After the incident, the victims managed to alert one of the employees who immediately notified the police.
“A joint search operation involving the local SAPS, members from neighbouring police stations, local Farm Watch, private security and tracker companies ensued.”
Mojapelo said the stolen vehicle was spotted a few kilometers outside Burgersfort and when the members approached the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
The stolen items were not recovered, Mojapelo added.
Provincial SAPS commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the partnership between the private sector and the police that was manifested during the snap operation that led to the recovery of the robbed motor vehicle. She further appealed to the public to also work closely with the police for a speedy arrest of those involved in this crime.
Anyone with information may contact the investigating officer Sergeant Justice Mantshwane on 082 449 0198, the 24-hour Crime stop number on 086 001 0111 or their nearest police.
Police investigations still continue.
