Bloemfontein - Two soldiers who were on duty at Tempe military base in Bloemfontein were attacked at knife-point and robbed of their service rifles.

Free State police spokesperson, Chaka Marope, said the two officers were at the guard room at the Tempe Support Warehouse on Monday when they heard a noise outside at approximately 02:00. Marope said when they opened the door to investigate, they were cornered by two men wearing balaclavas and armed with knives. The suspects overpowered the soldiers after they allegedly sprayed pepper spray in their faces.

Marope said the suspects then tied up the soldiers' hands and feet with the laces of their own boots and made off with two R4 rifles, 30 rounds each and two cellphones belonging to the officers. The suspects fled the scene in a getaway vehicle which was parked few kilometres away.

Marope said a case of armed robbery has been registered for further investigation.

SAPS statement