Four suspects in farm attack arrested

Potchefstroom – Four suspects were arrested a few days after they attacked a family on their farm in Deelpan near Biesiesvlei on Saturday 25 January. 

They were arrested during separate operations by police units from the North West and Gauteng provinces. 

In the Platinum Weekly issue of 31 January, it was reported that Derek Mathews and his family were attacked and robbed by five armed men who stormed into the house and ordered them to lie on the floor.

Police spokesperson colonel Adéle Myburgh said the victims were tied up before the attackers proceeded to ransack the house. 

“Jewellery, cellular phones, laptops, liquor and cash were taken by the suspects before they fled the scene. After the incident was reported, detectives worked around the clock and one suspect was arrested in Alexander on 30 January,” she said. 

“Two more suspects were arrested in Witbank. A Toyota Hilux bakkie, suspected to have been used to commit the crimes, as well as a cellular phone and a laptop belonging to the victims, were recovered by police,” she added. 

A fourth suspect was arrested near Lichtenburg on Saturday 1 February. Wine, allegedly stolen at the farm, was recovered from him during the arrest.  

All four suspects appeared in the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court on 3 February, for charges of house robbery.

More arrests are imminent. 

The North West provincial commissioner, lieutenant general Sello Kwena congratulated the detectives for their determination, cooperation and hard work that resulted in these arrests.