A woman was brutally overpowered, restrained with shoelaces and masking tape, during a harrowing robbery at her home.
Loyd Ngobeni (31), Mark Ratau (40), and Alex Tivan (22) are set to appear in the Brits Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, facing serious charges related to a violent house robbery and the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The three men, who were remanded in custody following their initial court appearance yesterday, stand accused of breaking into a farmhouse and assaulting the homeowner during a robbery in the early hours of November 7, 2024.
According to SAPS Colonel Adéle Myburgh, the incident occurred at a farm in the Kameeldrift area near Assen, Brits, where a 64-year-old woman was asleep in her home when the trio forced their way in. The suspects allegedly overpowered the victim, assaulting her with a firearm before restraining her with shoelaces and masking tape. They then ransacked the home, stealing various items, including clothing, jewellery, tools, cellphones, a laptop, and a camera.
The investigation into the crime was spearheaded by the Brits Trio Task Team, in collaboration with Crime Intelligence. Their efforts led to the identification of a white Volkswagen Polo, which was used by the suspects during the robbery. The vehicle’s owner was traced, revealing that Ngobeni had borrowed the car. He was apprehended on November 11 in Mamelodi East, where police seized the stolen laptop, jewellery, and the Volkswagen Polo.
Tivan was arrested shortly thereafter in Sanddrift, Assen, with stolen cellphones in his possession, while Ratau was captured near the R511 in Assen. During his arrest, police discovered a 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number and a magazine containing 36 rounds of ammunition. The suspects now face multiple charges, including house robbery and possession of illegal firearms, with their next court appearance scheduled for tomorrow.
