Two suspects arrested in Rosendal for having a stolen vehicle are expected to appear in the Hennenman Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (3/9).

Rosendal police are still on the lookout for a third suspect who is on the run. Two suspects (35 and 40) were arrested on Saturday and the bakkie was recovered.

The owner of the Ford Ranger and his wife were returning to their home in Hennenman in the early hours of Saturday morning when three unknown suspects allegedly threatened them with a firearm and drove off with the vehicle and the victim’s wife.

The stolen Ford Ranger vehicle was recovered. Picture supplied

The bakkie, worth R900 000, was recovered later the same day and the wife was dropped off unharmed at a Welkom graveyard, said Free State police spokesperson Martin Xuma. She returned home to her husband.

“Rosendal police, with the assistance of Senekal officers, managed to trace the vehicle in Rosendal and arrest the two suspects. More arrests are imminent as officers believe more suspects were involved in the hijacking.

The latest crime statistics show close to 1,700 bakkies or panel vans were carjacked from April to June. During this time, the Free State experienced a 1.1% year-on-year decrease in carjackings.

Robberies at residential premises showed a 16.8% increase in the province, which is a 28-count difference in the first quarter statistics.

Meanwhile, four suspects in the hijacking and kidnapping of a Bethlehem pastor and his wife will appear again in the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (4/9).

“Tony Mahlangu (31), Andile Memane (31), Thabiso Makoe (34), and Xolani Ntsomi (41) remain in custody until their next court appearance,” said Free State police spokesperson Lorraine Earle.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame