10/12/2025
SIX SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOLLOWING A VIOLENT FARM ROBBERY
WARDEN: A response by the South African Police Service, local farmers and security resulted in the arrest of six suspects following a violent robbery at a farm near Warden on Friday, 5 December 2025. At approximately 08:30, a 74-year-old farmer was approached on a dirt road after refueling his tractor. Five armed men seized his white Toyota Hilux with canopy, forced open the vehicle, and struck him on the head with his own .22-calibre pistol, causing him to fall. The assailants fled in the Hilux toward N3 freeway. On reaching the farmhouse, the farmer’s 76-year-old wife was confronted by the intruders, who demanded the safe containing three licensed fi****ms and ammunition. She complied and the weapons were taken. Neighbours and security promptly raised an alarm, triggering a joint interception. The stolen Hilux was located on the N3 and stopped; six suspects aged 28 to 42 were detained. The fi****ms, ammunition and a Suzuki vehicle used by the gang were recovered. The farmer suffered a left-eye injury and was treated in Harrismith. The suspects will face house-robbery charges and are expected to appear in the Warden Magistrate’s Court.