SAPS
Two men who allegedly duped a Free State farmer into selling his sheep worth nearly R5 million, before disappearing with the livestock, will appear in the Smithfield Magistrates Court in the Free State on Monday.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Motansti Makhele, says the pair approached the Heuningkraans Farm owner, claiming to be Bank representatives offering him a business deal in December last year.
The men aged, 34 and 40-years-old, persuaded him into selling his 1 300 sheep to them in exchange for payment.
Makhele says as per the fake bank agreement the farmer delivered the first batch of 800 to them in Limpopo, but became suspicious when no payment was deposited into his bank account.
He says numerous attempts to contact them after the delivery was in vain, and he alerted the police soon after.
One of the suspects was arrested in December and was granted bail of R10 000 with strict conditions.
Makhele says they have since recovered 561 sheep.
