The alleged suspect was arrested in Wepener on Thursday, while trying to sell the diamond.

SAPS spokesperson Christopher Singo told OFM News that the Hawks team in Bloemfontein received information about the diamond being sold, and set up the alleged suspect by pretending to be potential buyers.

“The suspect then agreed to meet us to sell that particular diamond, so when we met him he said that he was going to sell the diamond for R15 000. Then the police officer who was there told him that he didn’t have R15 000 in his possession, so he can give him R3 000 and the remaining balance will be paid on Saturday. The suspect then agreed, was he was given R3 000, and then took out the diamond and gave it to the police officer. That’s when we arrested him.”

Singo further explained that the police are investigating where the alleged suspect got the diamond and whether he was working alone. He said the man is expected to appear in court on 11 July 2022.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi