A 46-year-old Malawian national has been arrested in connection with a Chrissiesmeer farm robbery that occurred in the early hours of Friday, September 19.

The suspect, who was wounded by the farm’s owner, faces charges of attempted murder, stock theft and contravention of the Immigration Act.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Sergeant Thulisile Magagula, police and emergency medical services responded to the scene after receiving an alert about an incident in progress.

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“Upon arrival, they found the farm owner with a stab wound to the neck and one of the suspects with a gunshot wound to his right thigh,” said Magagula.

“The farm owner told police he was inspecting a cut perimeter fence when he was suddenly attacked by two men. One of the assailants stabbed him in the neck, prompting the owner to fire his weapon in self-defence. He managed to shoot one of the attackers, while the second suspect fled the scene on foot.”

Magagula added that both the farm owner and the injured suspect were transported to hospital for urgent medical care.

The suspect was subsequently placed under arrest and is receiving medical treatment under police guard. He will appear before the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court once he is declared medically fit.

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“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the second suspect, who is still at large, is currently out on bail for other criminal cases in the Carolina and Chrissiesmeer areas,” she said.

Police are urging the members of the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the second suspect. Anyone with information can contact Detective Constable Wiseman Nkonyane on 079 499 9489 or call the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Information can also be shared anonymously via the My SAPS app.