The peaceful community of Harrismith was shattered by a series of violent robberies that targeted three taverns between Sunday night and the wee hours of Monday, 27 May 2024.
Suspects wanted for robbing three Harrismith taverns in one night
The first incident occurred at around 21:40 in Intabazwe.
A group of three to four armed men stormed a tavern, where they robbed a 48-year-old patron at gunpoint, taking his VW Polo, cellphone, and car keys.
The patrons, according to Free State authorities, were forced to lie down during the robbery. The stolen vehicle was later recovered approximately three kilometres from the scene.
At around 22:50, the same night, a second tavern in Intabazwe fell victim to the same group of suspects.
The 34-year-old tavern owner and two security guards were present when the balaclava-clad men arrived in a vehicle matching the description of the one used in the first robbery.
The attackers fired shots from the street before entering the tavern, where they again ordered the patrons to lie down. They looted the cash register and took personal belongings from the patrons, including cash and cellphones.
The most tragic of the attacks occurred in the early hours of Monday, 27 May 2024, at approximately 01:50, at a tavern and café on Khubeka Street, 42nd Hill, Harrismith.
Three armed men, their faces obscured by balaclavas, entered the establishment and demanded that everyone lie down. They proceeded to rob the cash register, stealing an undisclosed amount of money, cellphones, and liquor.
During this robbery, five individuals were shot, leading to one fatality at the scene and another at the hospital. Three others are still receiving medical treatment.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a manhunt for the suspects involved in these heinous crimes.
Provincial Commissioner Lt-Gen Baile Motswenyane has deployed additional resources and a team of skilled investigators to ensure a swift apprehension of the perpetrators.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims, and we commit to doing everything in our power to ensure that justice is served, Motswenyane said.