File
Police in Addo are searching for four men, two of whom were in police uniforms after they robbed a 68-year-old farmer and his 65-year-old on Sunday.
Spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said a third suspect wore a police shirt and a pair of jeans while the fourth assailant was in civilian clothing.
She said the men arrived at the farm in Selborne at around 16:30, pretending that the person in civilian clothing was a suspect who had stolen cables on the farm.
Naidu said they requested the farmer to accompany them to a canal on the property for an inspection, while one suspect stayed behind while the other went ahead.
She said the suspect pointed a firearm at the wife and demanded money and firearms, while the others returned with the farmer who had allegedly been assaulted while in the orchards.
“The couple was tied up and locked in a room while the house was ransacked. A total of eight hunting rifles, two firearms (9mm and .38 revolver), 100 rounds of various specialised calibre ammunition, a laptop, a pair of binoculars, and a cell phone were taken,” Naidu said.
The suspects fled in the complainant’s Toyota Fortuner, which was later found abandoned about 20 km away. The value of the firearms is about R250 000.
“A case of house robbery is under investigation.”
Police are advising communities to be wary of criminals posing as police officials.
“Every police officer is in possession of an identification card and name badge. As a civilian, you are entitled to request identification before allowing anyone into your premises,” Naidu said.
