HAZYVIEW – A joint operation between a number of security companies, the police and members of the community led to the arrest of 13 men, believed to have been responsible for a farm attack in the Lydenburg/Stofberg area this morning.

Acting on a tip-off, the role players lay in wait around Perry’s Bridge, said Mr Albert Gryvenstein of Bossies Community Justice.

At about 09:30, the first four, travelling in an Audi believed to have been robbed during the farm attack, were apprehended. Shortly afterwards, another four travelling in a rented Volkswagen Polo were arrested in the same area.

According to Gryvenstein, one of the suspects were shot in the leg during a shoot-out at the Hazyview/Sabie intersection before being arrested.

Another four suspects, travelling in an Opel Corsa bakkie were detained near Casa do Sol. The final suspect was apparently arrested in Stoffberg.

Goods, including firearms and laptops , believed to have been stolen during the farm attack, were found in their possession, Gryvenstein said.

The victims of the farm attack, known only as the Coetsers, were tied up. It is not yet known exactly how many victims there were. They sustained minor to serious knife wounds.

“We have good reason to believe that all suspects in this morning attack, were arrested,” Gryvenstein said.

Also read: Fourteen arrests in one week a KNP success