MBOMBELA - The Piet Retief  police have arrested five suspects in connection with the murder of a 66-year-old farmer from Mooihoek.

The incident took place on Friday, December 22, around 19:45, when the farmer arrived back at his farmhouse to find the gates to his house open. As he was walking to the door he noticed a group of five men wearing balaclavas entering his home.

According to information at police disposal, a shoot-out ensued between the farmer and the attackers.Two of the assailants sustained gunshots but still managed to escape. The farmer was fatally wounded.

The police were summoned to the scene where one of the wounded attackers was apprehended. Three others were arrested during the same night at different locations and the last one, who was heavily wounded, was discovered in the bushes the next morning. The firearm, which the suspects allegedly used in the attack, was also retrieved.

Two of the suspects were admitted for medical treatment under police guard while the other three are in custody until their court appearance in the Piet Retief Magistrate's Court this coming Wednesday, December 27.

The Provincial Commissioner for Police, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma, praised the men and women in blue for their swift action. Zuma reiterated that the police will not fold their hands while the community was being tormented by criminals.

Submitted by: Brig Leonard Hlathi
Subedited: Lynette Brink
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