Rustenburg - Two people, one an employee of the South African Police Service (SAPS), were arrested for armed robbery after a farmer was attacked on his Kareebosbult farm in Coligny, North West police said on Thursday.
Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said four men entered the farm and found the owner with his two employees on Wednesday afternoon.
“The latter (employees) were allegedly taken to the office and their hands tied with wires, while the victim (farmer) was forced into the house. The suspects ransacked the house and severely assaulted the victim before fleeing the scene with a white Golf,” Mokgwabone said.
The farmer, 84, managed to escape and went to the neighbouring farm where he reported the matter.
He said the two were arrested along the N12 highway on Wednesday, after Coligny police alerted their counterparts in Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom to be on the lookout for a white Golf occupied by four men.
The car was stopped and the two were arrested, the other two were still at large.
“One of the arrested suspects is an administration clerk employed by the SAPS. The internal disciplinary investigation will be instituted against the employee. At this stage, the exact robbed items cannot be determined as the farm owner could not be interviewed due to the injuries he sustained and is still admitted at the hospital,” said Mokgwabone.
Civil right organisation, AfriForum identified the farmer as Mr Peet Nortje.
Head of community safety at AfriForum Ian Cameron said Nortje was brutally attacked and his firearms were stolen.
“The police have to start searching for suspects within their own ranks now. How should the public know who to trust? It’s becoming a bigger priority for communities to safeguard themselves,” Cameron said after he learnt that one of the arrested men was employed by the SAPS.
Mokgwabone said two firearms belonging to the farmer were found inside his house.
“The suspects are due to appear in court soon. Investigation into the matter continues,” said Mokgwabone.
ANA