Free State police arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with a violent house robbery near Bloemspruit on August 19.
The arrest occurred in the early hours of September 9, in Makwane village, where police discovered the suspect with an unauthorised pistol and stolen goods.
The 62-year-old farm owner and his family were assaulted by armed intruders shortly after midnight when their motion detector alarm was triggered.
"The farm owner went outside to investigate the noise, firing a warning shot. However, he was confronted by men with firearms who shot and disarmed him," said Captain Loraine Earle, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS).
According to reports, the thieves bound the 60-year-old wife and daughter of the homeowner during the burglary. They fled with firearms, money, personal belongings, and household goods. Both the farm owner and his wife sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital for medical care.
On September 11, police responded to a tip-off about a man in Makwane village, Qwaqwa, possessing an illegal weapon. The suspect was found hiding in a shack with a 7.65mm pistol, bullets, and items linked to the Bloemspruit robbery.
"We are extremely pleased with the progress in this case, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime unit. The suspect will face charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as well as possession of stolen property," said Earle.
The suspect is expected to appear in court soon.
The successful arrest required cooperation among various law enforcement divisions, such as Phuthaditjhaba's Public Order Policing (POP) team, Makwane detectives, and the Bethlehem Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), which specialises in handling significant corruption incidents.
The police are still investigating the farm robbery and are actively trying to locate other individuals responsible for the crime.
IOL