It is alleged that a 60-year-old suspect from Thaba Nchu claimed that a man who was riding a horse stole his cows earlier on Sunday morning.

The 60-year-old suspect along with two accomplices aged 25 and 28 allegedly confronted and then assaulted the alleged cow thief with a sjambok.

The police also say that a Norinco pistol was used to pistol whip the victim him on the head in a statement issued on Monday.

They allegedly locked him inside a Toyota Corolla boot and drove to a specific herdsman and told the herdsman that the victim had stolen cows.

He turned them away advising them not to accuse someone without proof. They then drove off again with the victim still in the boot. 

Along the way they ran out of petrol and the victim managed to call his daughter who alerted the police.

Police responded and found the two cars a Toyota Corolla and Toyota Cressida in Morago Trust.  Upon searching the Toyota Cressida they found a Norinco pistol with five live ammunition. 

The 60-year-old along with two accomplices were arrested for assault GBH and kidnapping and the three aged between 22 and 30 that were found inside the Toyota Cressida were arrested for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition. 

The licensed firearm belonging to the 60-year-old suspect was confiscated as well the Toyota Cressida. The six arrested suspects are expected to appear before Thaba Nchu Magistrates’ Court soon.

Free State Police Police Commissioner, Lebeoana Tsumane,  pleaded with community members to refrain from taking law into their own hands and advised them to rather inform the Police of any criminal activities.

Statement issued