Rustenburg - Six people were arrested and two AK47 rifles and a handgun recovered after a foiled diamond heist in Schweizer-Reneke, North West police said on Thursday.
Police spokesperson Captain Paul Ramaloko said six armed men attacked a farmer after he left his farm in Migdol on Wednesday.
“The suspects knocked the farmer’s bakkie with two of their vehicles pushing him out of the road in a heavy rain. All three vehicles were damaged, but the suspects jumped out of their vehicles and robbed the farmer of 10 boxes of unpolished precious stones, diamonds, valued at millions. The six then abandoned their damaged vehicles and hijacked a passer-by who was driving in a bakkie.”
He said the hijacked victim managed to summon local police and farmers in the area.
“Local farmers spotted the hijacked vehicle and a chase ensued. The suspects lost control of the hijacked vehicle and drove in a farm where they got caught in the mud. Police joined in and arrested the suspects.”
The six men were taken to a local hospital under police guard for injuries they sustained when they collided with the first victim and after they lost control of the hijacked vehicle.
They were expected to appear in Wolmaransstad Magistrate’s Court on charges of robbery, attempted murder, hijacking, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition after they were discharged from hospital.
Ramaloko said the rifles and a handgun were recovered in a maize field on Thursday.
African News Agency
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