Cops probing ‘strange’ pirate attack

Police in ‘D’ Division are currently investigating an alleged pirate attack committed by five heavily-armed men on a fishing crew early yesterday morning.

According to a senior police officer, the details of the incident are “strange” but they are nevertheless investigating the report.

He explained that the boat captain and two crew members had just left a koker at Vergenoegen en route to Eteringbang, when a boat with five men armed with guns pulled up. One of the gunmen apparently entered the fishermen’s boat and, after ordering them to lie on the floor, drove off.

According to the information from the alleged victims, they were on the water top for about 45 minutes when the boat suddenly stopped. Seconds later, they heard another engine and then silence.

The senior officer said that according to the men, when they rose they realised that their attackers were gone. Their vessel was intact but a firearm belonging to one of them was missing.