POLOKWANE - Concerted efforts by Police in Mopani in perusing suspects for the Hoedspruit Farm Attack, yielded positive results when additional two suspects were arrested and three rifles recovered. These items are believed to be having a connection with the business burglary that took place on a farm in the Hoedspruit policing precinct in March 2021, in which eleven firearms and ammunition were stolen.
The two suspects were arrested yesterday, 17 January 2023, during an ongoing intelligence driven joint operation to trace the suspects involved in the incident. The team comprised of Detectives from SAPS Origstad, Burgersfort Highway Patrol team and Crime Intelligence Unit and they followed information about the suspect's whereabouts in Phiring under Leboeng policing area. They then managed to arrest the 31 year old suspect and from there the same team proceeded with investigations which led them to the arrest of the second suspect in Manganeng village outside Sekhukhune.
The 42-year-old suspect was found hiding in the bushes next to an informal settlement with another suspect who managed to evade the arrest. Police then searched inside the suspects' shack and discovered three rifles believed to be those stolen on Hoedspruit farm.
This brings the total number of arrests in connection with the incident to four and the items recovered so far include 7 firearms, several ammunition, telescope and rifle sniper. The first two suspects aged 32 and 36 were arrested on 13 and 14 January 2023 at White City, Mhala policing area in Mpumalanga Province and Hoedspruit policing area in Limpopo Province
The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has hailed the meticulous investigation conducted by members of this team which led to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the firearms.
"We appeal to members of the community to continue to work with the police and provide valuable information that will help trace remaining suspects and recover the rest of the stolen items," concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The suspects are expected to appear before the respective Magistrate's court soon facing charges of business burglary and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Source: South African Police Service