Good cooperation between the police and the local agricultural community led to the arrest of three men who allegedly stole cash, food and drink at a farm house in the Karoo.
They hit a farm in Steytlerville district in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday at 11:25 p.m., while the owners are in Paarl in the Western Cape.
Police responded after a farm workers contacted them, Capt. Police spokesperson Gerda Swart said.
The burglars allegedly broke open the safe in the house and stole cash.
Swart said a 19-year-old man was still trapped near the farmhouse that night. He was caught with liquor, cash and food in his possession. These goods were presumably stolen from the farmhouse.
The other two burglars ran away that evening and disappeared into the field.
By Thursday morning, police were still searching for information and arrested two suspects, aged 17 and 33, at their home.
Peter Knoesen, chairman of the Steytlerville Agricultural Association, said in response that he was satisfied with the preparedness of the farming community during the incident.
“We have the sector police here that extend throughout the district and very good radio communications.”
Thus, roads around the affected farm were blocked within minutes, in case the burglars tried to flee in a vehicle.
“The farmers and the sector group responded very quickly and were soon on the scene to help. We work well with the police. We need each other. ”
According to Swart, the suspects will appear in the regional court in Steytlerville on Friday on a charge of housebreaking.
Brig. Ronald Koll, acting commander of the Uitenhage Police Area, thanked the community for their prompt response to contact the police, as well as commended the police officers for the successful arrest.
