Free State police spokesperson, Ian Gaobepe, says the men were arrested in Phahameng shortly after a robbery on Leon Venter’s farm on May 12. Three firearms missing from Venter’s farmhouse after the burglary were recovered during the arrest of the four suspects. Stolen vintage coins, a camera and a watch were also confiscated.

A fifth suspect, who was in possession of Venter’s Toyota bakkie’s key, was arrested shortly after the first arrests. Venter’s bakkie was reported missing after the robbery but was later found abandoned on a local gravel road. Gaobepe says the case was postponed today until June 15 for trial.

The suspects, Mahlomola Chaka (22), Themba Mentjies (24), Tete Moshane (24), Pogisho Mokale (26), and Tshepiso Ntsane (26) face charges of the possession of stolen firearms.

Meanwhile, police have made a breakthrough by arresting two suspects in connection with a Hertzogville farm attack that also took place on May 12. Gaobepe says after an investigation of almost three weeks a man was arrested in Bultfontein yesterday while visiting a bank, and a second man shortly thereafter. This follows the attack on Gideon Botha and his wife Petronella after they returned home from town. A third suspect is still at large.

OFM News