LIMPOPO- A manhunt is underway for a team of criminals who robbed and killed a farmer (36) in Roedtan Friday (October 7) evening.
“At about 18:00 five men in a white vehicle arrived at the farm in the Waterberg district, alleging they would like to purchase milk. Here they encountered the farmer’s friend, who was forcefully taken to the farmer’s house, where one of the robbers kept him detained,” Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed in a statement.
The farmer and his girlfriend arrived home from their trip to a nearby town, where the remaining four men waited them in and held them at gunpoint.
The farmer’s friend and girlfriend were tied up with cable ties, while the farmer was forced to surrender money to them.
The intruders disarmed the farmer, hit him with an iron pipe and demanded the keys to his safe.
The farmer was shot and killed in the process.
“They then drove off with firearms including a rifle from the safe, cellphones, a laptop and other valuables they stole from the premises,” Mojapelo said.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe assigned a team of investigators to launch an intelligence driven operation and track down the criminals.
A vehicle matching the description of the get-away car was spotted in Moletjie, which falls under the Seshego police’s area.
The car was pulled over and officers found two 9mm pistol magazines, thirty (30) live rounds of ammunition and 9mm double magazines in the driver’s possession.
The driver was arrested on the scene.
“I applaud the team for their effective arrest and further call on our communities to assist the police by providing valuable information on the remaining suspects,” Hadebe said.
Anyone with information that can lead to their arrest may contact leading investigating team leaders Lieutenant Colonel Justice Ngobeni on 082 565 8328 or detective Warrant Officer Sbongile Maria Lekalakala on 082 414 1822 or 082 925 2479.
They can also contact the crime stop number 0860010111, visit their nearest police station or use the My SAPSApp.
The arrested man, aged 33, will appear in Mookgophong Magistrate’s Court soon facing charges of murder, house robbery and possession of unlawful ammunition.
