MBOMBELA – Two men who had initially been suspected of being involved in a brutal attack on the Saaiman couple in Sudwala on Sunday, had positively been linked with copper theft, and not the attack, police confirmed.
The farm attackers have not been apprehended yet. According to Sgt Gerald Sedibe, provincial spokesman for the SAPS,
Mr Mduduzi Nkosi (29) and Mr Solomon Nkosi (39) were arrested after a transformer worth R60 000 had been stolen, mere minutes after the Saaiman couple was attacked in the same area. According to Mr Shaun Terblanche of J&M Security, who rushed to the scene after they received signal that the couple had activated their panic button, they spotted two men who appeared suspicious next to the Sudwala road.
They confronted the suspects but were, however, told that they were waiting for a truck carrying timber to pick them up.
J&M and the police nonetheless kept a close eye on them and a few minutes later the two men jumped into a taxi.
Immediately J&M as well as the flying squad reacted and pulled the taxi over. The suspects were found in possession of copper as well as equipment which had been used to vandalise the transformer.
According to Terblanche, after interrogation, the suspects could not be linked to the farm attack.
They appeared in court on charges of theft on Wednesday.
Members of the community expressed their gratitude towards J&M Security as well as the police for their quick response. Meanwhile, Ms Mariette Saaiman, had been discharged from Mediclinic Nelspruit and was recovering at a guest house.
Bossies Community Justice (BCJ) has offered a reward of up to R50 000 for information leading to the apprehension and successful prosecution of the attackers. Please contact 082-567-5212.
All information will be dealt with confidentially.
