Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
18 January 2023
The prompt response of the police in response to a tip-off aided in the disruption of a farm assault at Welwediend in Verena yesterday morning, Tuesday 17 January 2023, about 02h00 am.
After receiving an alarm, members were mobilized and dispatched to the location.
When police arrived, they discovered three pickup trucks filled with 19 sheep and 4 goats worth more than R40 000.
A pursuit ensued between the police and the suspects.
As a consequence, one of the suspects’ automobiles was engaged in an accident, and they abandoned the other two vehicles in order to avoid capture.
They then fled the scene without being apprehended, and police recovered two weapons inside the vehicles when they searched them.
The victim stated that he was sleeping when he heard a gunshot from outside.
Before he could figure out what was going on, he heard a big bang at the door, and armed suspects entered and robbed him of two mobile phones worth around R1 500.
The racked vehicle, as well as the other two vehicles, were abandoned on the site, resulting in the recovery of the firearms and the livestock.
The investigation regarding the ownership of the three cars is underway.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the speedy reaction by the police.
The General further condemned farm attacks and reassured citizens that police are working around the clock to curb and address the situation.
