Speedy arrests after farm attack

Five men were arrested just 24 hours after allegedly pulling off a predawn farm attack near Fort Beaufort during which a teenage girl was kidnapped.

The arrests came after the robbery at 2am on Monday on a farm in the Doornkloof area triggered a police manhunt across the province.

Police spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni confirmed that five suspects, aged between 27 and 40, had been tracked down by detectives during a search that ran into the early hours of Tuesday.

Police said more arrests were still to come.

The arrests came after all neighbouring police stations and clusters, including Port Elizabeth, were asked to be on the lookout for two vehicles, a bakkie and a Subaru, which were stolen during the robbery.

The police helicopter joined in the search.

Hours after the robbery, the 16-year-old girl was found unharmed at the Subaru, which was recovered on the outskirts of Fort Beaufort.

By late morning, Tonjeni said, the stolen bakkie had also been recovered, in Adelaide.

The girl and her family were held hostage by five men who gained entry to the farmhouse through a window.

“The suspects ransacked the home, removing money and firearms,” Tonjeni said.

“They tied the [farmer] and his 16-year-old daughter [up] and on leaving took the daughter [with them in the one of the farmer’s two vehicles].”

No-one was injured in the robbery and the girl has been sent for trauma counselling.

Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga said the arrests came after a 72-hour activation plan was implemented.

“I applaud the team for this quick breakthrough. I am elated the young lady is reunited with her family unscathed.”

The men are due to appear in the Fort Beaufort Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.