Five arrested after fleeing robbery on horseback

Five men on horseback were arrested just outside Mthatha in connection with armed robbery, Eastern Cape police said on Wednesday (30/04/2014).

"They [allegedly] robbed a shop just outside Mthatha and then fled on horseback," Lt-Col Mzukisi Fatyela said.

"Police were informed and gave chase and the five of them were cornered."

The men, aged between 18 and 27, were arrested on Tuesday.

They had allegedly robbed the shop of R1200, airtime, and cigarettes, Fatyela said.

During the arrest police recovered 1.1kg of dagga, 20 Mandrax tablets, and two firearms.

"We also found that these suspects were linked to other cases of armed robbery and assault GBH [grievous bodily harm]," he said.

"The 9mm pistol was reported to have been robbed from the owner at the Shell Ultra City in Mthatha."

Fatyela said the men were expected to appear in the Mthatha Magistrate's Court on Friday. - Sapa