Duo shot, thrown in grave

FOUR people have been arrested after an incident in Tubatse, outside Burgersfort, in which residents attacked, shot and burnt two men to death before throwing them into the open grave of the wife of one of the men during her funeral, Limpopo police said.

A dedicated police task team set up by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba arrested the four suspects, aged between 19 and 59, on Saturday, said Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe.

They had been positively linked to the killings on Saturday morning and face charges of murder, malicious damage to property, violation of a grave, and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. More arrests were expected.

A 9mm firearm, believed to be one of the weapons used to kill the two men, was confiscated.

The suspects were due to appear in court today, Ngoepe said.

It was alleged that the local community were burying one of the murdered men’s wife at the Mashifane village graveyard at 8am on Saturday, “when they attacked this man and his friend with various objects”.

“One of the mourners produced a firearm and shot both of them. They burnt them, threw their bodies into the grave, put the woman’s coffin on top of them, and they put soil (in the grave) before they dispersed.

“Police were summoned. All three bodies, including that of the woman, were exhumed for further police investigations.

“The motive behind this incident is still unknown, but police investigations will tell,” Ngoepe said.

Anyone with information which could assist in the arrest of the remaining suspects should contact Brigadier James Espach at 082 576 0743 or the crime stop number 08600 10111. – African News Agency/ANA