Armed robbers mistake meat, veg for cash

Two Kroonstad businesspeople were caught in a hail of bullets after being robbed of containers containing meat and vegetables, Free State police said.

Captain Stephen Thakeng said the robbers struck at 5.45pm near the Serve Well market in Kroonstad, attacking Xiu Hua Huang, 39, and his wife Me Xue Yau Huang last Saturday.

The robbers apparently thought the pot and container the couple was carrying contained the day’s takings for the shop.

In the course of pulling off the robbery, several shots were fired at the couple’s vehicle.

Xiu fired back as the robbers drove away in a Hyundai Getz that had no licence plates.

Detectives found the vehicle, with stickers pasted over the bullet marks on August 1.

Three people have been arrested and police also discovered a haul of arms and communication equipment.

This included two unlicensed firearms, unlicensed ammunition, three hand radio chargers, one hand radio, believed to have been stolen from the Moqhaka Taxi Association’s security guards, pepper spray and two other vehicles, licensed in Lesotho.

However, the alleged robbers did not simply accept their fate.

One allegedly offered the arresting officers R20 000 – so they also face bribery charges.

The three – Sechaba Maloka, 34, Moeketsi Talanyane, 43, and Tshepo Matlere, 36 – appeared in the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The case was postponed to Monday for a bail application while police try and track a fourth suspect, known as Docky.

Anyone who knows where Docky is should contact detective sergeant William Belane of Kroonstad detective services on 073-590-5373. – News24 Wire

Police also discovered a haul of arms and communication equipment ... and two other vehicles licensed in Lesotho.

Stephen Thakeng, Free State police captain