Police in Westonaria, Gauteng, have arrested two suspects aged 34 and 44 and recovered 19 stolen hunting rifles.
The rifles and ammunition had been stolen from the home of an elderly couple.
Police said the elderly couple was ambushed at their home by four robbers wearing balaclavas.
During the home invasion, the robbers stabbed the 66-year-old wife in the arm and tied her up.
Her 71-year-old husband was away at the time.
When he returned, the robbers hit him with a hammer on the head. They also tied him up and then proceeded to ransack the house.
The robbers stole 19 hunting rifles, knives, and other household goods before they made off with the couple’s Toyota Hilux bakkie.
The shaken and wounded elderly couple was later untied by their adult children when they arrived late in the evening.
Distraught, the couple’s children told their neighbour about the home invasion. The neighbour called the police.
On the way to the couple’s home, police spotted a Toyota bakkie similar to the one reported stolen. Police followed the bakkie until it stopped on the side of the road.
Four occupants jumped out and ran. However, police managed to arrest two of the fleeing men.
Police are on the lookout for the other two suspects.
Commenting on the swift arrest of the suspects and recovery of the stolen rifles, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela said: “Perseverance and diligence by detectives to bring justice to the families of victims will restore the communities’ faith in the South African Police Service.”
The arrested pair will soon appear in court.
