Police in Limpopo are searching for four suspects who allegedly posed as police officers during a violent farm robbery in the Morebeng policing area.
The robbers, who were dressed in police uniforms and reflective jackets and had covered faces, targeted a farm in the Capricorn District on Thursday afternoon.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the men arrived at the farm at about 1 pm and approached an employee, asking where his employer was.
“The employee became suspicious and attempted to flee, but one of the suspects allegedly threatened him with a firearm. He was subsequently tied up,” Ledwaba said.
“The suspects remained on the premises for approximately three hours before the farm owner arrived with two employees. The suspects allegedly confronted them at gunpoint and demanded access to a safe. The farm owner was assaulted when he initially indicated that he did not have a safe”.
The suspects then assaulted the farmer with a pick and sjambok before cutting his fingers with a sidecutter in an attempt to force him to reveal the location of the safe key.
Police said the robbers resorted to breaking the safe open.
“The suspects eventually gained access to the safe and allegedly stole rifles, one pistol, ammunition and an undisclosed amount of cash. They also took a bank card as well as four cellular phones.
“The victims were tied up before the suspects demanded the keys to a vehicle. One shot was allegedly fired during the incident”.
The suspects then allegedly fled the farm in a 1999 model white Toyota Hilux Double-Cab, registration BHY 893 L.
“The suspects remain unidentified, and no arrests have been made at this stage. Police are appealing to anyone with information that could assist in tracing the suspects or recovering the stolen vehicle and firearms to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Moraka Machaka, on 072 276 5728, or report the information to the nearest police station.”
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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