2 to appear for farm murders

Two men will soon appear in the Wepener Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder, housebreaking and theft, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition following two farm murders last week, Free State police said yesterday.

“This comes after the double murder of a 78-year-old farmer and his 68-year-old wife during a farm attack in Vanstadensrus on the night of June 25,” said Sergeant Mosili Ntsika.

After stealing firearms, cellphones and other items, the suspects fled in a silver-grey Chevrolet Spark belonging to the murdered couple. Police recovered the car on Tuesday evening after it was abandoned at a sports ground in Wepener, about 30km from Vanstadensrus.

“Their freedom was short-lived

Their freedom was short-lived when Detective Constable Mosala Mositoane of Vanstadensrus detectives, Detective Constable Zanempi Ntuli of Wepener detectives and Warrant Officer Koos Motapane of Wepener visible policing worked tirelessly around the clock to trace and arrest the suspects.

Sergeant Mosili Ntsika Free State police

when Detective Constable Mosala Mositoane of Vanstadensrus detectives, Detective Constable Zanempi Ntuli of Wepener detectives and Warrant Officer Koos Motapane of Wepener Vispol [visible policing] worked tirelessly around the clock to trace and arrest the suspects,” Ntsika said.

The two men, aged 26 and 20, were arrested on Saturday morning in Kanana location in Wepener and Gaba Square in Vanstadensrus. Six firearms and other suspected stolen items were recovered from a house in Wepener, Ntsika said.

Free State police commissioner Lieutenant-General Moeketsi Sempe applauded the officers for their hard work and dedication.

“I would like to commend our team for working tirelessly to execute this task,” Sempe said. – ANA