Alleged farm murder plotters due to appear in court

The Hawks on Thursday arrested five men who had allegedly plotted the murder of a farm owner who had tried to evict them from his land in Secunda.

The specialised unit said on Friday that it was “a multi-disciplinary operation” involving members of the Hawks’ Organised Crime Investigation in Secunda‚ and the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau and Crime Intelligence Gathering units.

“The suspects‚ aged between 33 and 48‚ were allegedly residing at a farm and the owner requested them to vacate the farm. The suspects allegedly refused to leave and a court order was subsequently issued against them‚” said Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi.

“In 2016‚ the men allegedly planned to murder the farm owner but their execution collapsed when the victim managed to run for his life and opened a case against them.

“One of the suspects‚ a 33-year-old‚ was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm with serial numbers filed off.”

The suspects will appear be in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Friday. – TMG Digital