Since joining forces last Sunday, farmers, farmworkers and police in the Mafikeng area in North West province have apprehended six suspected farm attackers, according to a report on Friday.

On Thursday, they arrested four men just two hours after a woman was reportedly overpowered in her farm shop, Beeld reported.

Kotie du Toit was attacked by four men in balaclavas on Thursday morning.

After taking money from the cash register, they took her back to her home, tied her up and demanded the keys to the safe.

“They held a gun to my head… I prayed out loud the whole time. God was there. One of the robbers stroked my hair and said ‘Sorry, Ouma’.”

They left, and after she managed to free herself, Du Toit called for help.

Local security forces were mobilised, along with farmers, herdsmen and local businessmen.

“We cordoned off an area of about 500 hectares with vehicles,” local farmer Wynand Buys said.

“Farm workers were dropped off every 50m so they could see each other and spread the word if they spotted the robbers. Herdsmen patrolled the fences.”

Two suspects were spotted when they crossed a road and a farmworker spotted another hiding in the grass.

Eventually all four surrendered to police and, after they were arrested, Du Toit’s stolen belongings were found in two bags in the  veld.

In a separate incident, farmers caught two thieves in the act in a local farm house last Sunday and they were swiftly arrested by police. – Sapa