A 38-year-old male, allegedly involved in the murder of an elderly man on a farm in Rouxville in the Free State, was arrested on the afternoon of 5 May 2023 by members of Flying Squad and K9 units in Gqeberha.
He is detained on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
After appearing in the Gqeberha magistrate court on Monday, 8 May 2023 on the mentioned charges, he will thereafter be transferred to the Free State to appear on charges of murder, theft of firearms and theft of motor vehicle in the Rouxville case.
It is alleged that on Thursday, 23 April 2023 at about 14:30, the body of Lance Arthur Da Silva (62) was found on his farm in Rouxville.
He sustained a gunshot wound on the left side of his head.
The victim’s two firearms (303 rifle, a baby browning pistol), a white Isuzu bakkie as well as other belongings were taken.
Police believe the murder suspect is a homeless person that was staying on the farm with the deceased. He had since disappeared. A case of murder, theft of firearms and theft of motor vehicle was opened for investigation.
The stolen bakkie was’ flagged’ and all Provinces were alerted to be on the lookout for it and the alleged suspect. Information received was that the vehicle was travelling to Gqeberha.
On Friday, 5 May 2023 at about 12:45, it was established that the vehicle was in the Walmer area in Gqeberha. SAPS Flying Squad and K9 members flooded the area in search of the vehicle. Their persistence paid off when the vehicle was spotted at 15:00, at the corners of 5th Avenue and Union Road.
The vehicle was stopped and the alleged suspect, arrested. After a thorough search of the vehicle, a rifle was found on the back seat. Further investigations led to the recovery of the stolen property at a house in Airport Valley. One suspect, aged 45 years, was arrested for possession of suspected stolen property
Another firearm a baby browning pistol and ammunition were seized at another house in Airport Valley. A 25-year-old male was arrested on charges of possession of suspected stolen property, possession of drugs, unlawful possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
Various calibre ammunition rounds were also recovered in a vehicle on the premises.
More stolen property was recovered in Walmer location. A 35-year-old suspect was arrested on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property.
All the arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Gqeberha magistrate court on Monday, 8 May 2023, on their respective charges.
Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene commended the excellent work of the team (K9, Flying Squad, SAPS Walmer Vispol and Detectives) involved in the immediate arrests, confiscation of the firearms and stolen property. “It is clear that our police officers were alert and vigilant to the information supplied of the wanted vehicle. They left no stone unturned in ensuring the successful apprehension of the perpetrators. Criminals must know that they can run from the law, but only for a short time before they are arrested and held accountable for their devious and unlawful actions,” added Lt Gen Mene.
Read about more farm attacks here
