According to KZN SAPS spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker, the farming couple were watching TV at home at 7.45 pm on 17 September 2013 when a group of about five armed suspects entered the home, demanding cash and firearms.
“The couple were tied up with cable ties and the suspects fled, taking the farmer’s two shotguns, two revolvers and an undisclosed amount of cash,” said Naicker.
The KZN SAPS reported that the first suspect was arrested on 18 September at Upper Tugela, and was found in possession of a large amount of the stolen cash. A second suspect, presumed to be the mastermind behind the attack, was arrested on the morning of 19 September in Pietermaritzburg, while three other men were arrested in Bergville on the evening of the same day.
Police said these arrests yielded more cash believed to have been stolen in the attack, as well as the farmer’s shotguns.
“The five suspects are set to appear in the Bergville Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 September 2013, on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of stolen property,” said Naicker.
Referring to the swift arrests, KZN SAPS commissioner Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said, “This once again reaffirms our position that if police and the community work together we can rid our communities of these criminal elements.”
