S.Africa: Farm attack, farmers and police respond, 5 arrested, Harrismith

(005875.811-:E-000062.43:N-AC:R-SU:C-30:V)   

A farm attack took place on 16 August 2021 at 15:10, in the Harrismith district, in the Free State province of South Africa. A farmer Gideon Wessels (54) was at home working in the storeroom when three unknown armed males appeared.

One of the attackers pointed him with a firearm and they demanded money, then pushed him into the house where they instructed him to open the safe.

When they did not find money in the safe, they allegedly took the complainant’s two rifles, a cell phone and other valuables.

They then tied him to a chair, locked him in the house and fled the scene.

The victim managed to untie himself, went out through the window and went to a neighbouring farm to ask for assistance and the police were alerted.

A 72-hours activation plan was executed and neighbouring stations and farmers were alerted that has led to the arrest of five suspects in Ladysmith and firearms were recovered.

The suspects will appear in Ladysmith Magistrate court for possession of suspected stolen property and thereafter appear in Harrismith for house robbery.

A well organised operation resulted in all five attackers being arrested after their vehicle was blocked and pulled off at the ‘The Square Checkers mall’ in Ladysmith.

Source: https://southafricatoday.net/south-africa-news/free-state/farm-attack-farmers-and-police-respond-5-arrested-harrismith/

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