Four suspects aged between 16 and 19 were arrested in less than two hours after they brutally murdered Theo Bekker (79) and injured his wife.
The suspects fled with three firearms and his vehicle in Grootvlei next to Balfour on the morning of Sunday, 30 July 2023 at about 08:30.
It is alleged that the deceased was attacked by four suspects outside his house.
They allegedly forced him back into the house where they demanded money and firearms.
It is further reported that the suspects assaulted both victims, the husband and wife.
The deceased was injured with an unknown object on his face and as a result he succumbed to his injuries. He was certified dead on the scene by medical personnel.
The wife was then taken to hospital for medical treatment.
The house was ransacked and the suspects managed to make off with an undisclosed amount of cash, a .22 pistol, 38 special revolver, a shotgun and the couple’s Renault Kwid.
Police were immediately informed after the suspects fled the scene.
It is reported that the stolen vehicle overturned in Villiers in the Free State Province, about 25 kilometres from where it was stolen.
All occupants managed to free themselves from the overturned vehicle and fled the scene.
A community member who witnessed the accident notified Villiers SAPS who immediately launched a manhunt. All suspects were arrested swiftly. Two of the stolen firearms, a pistol and a revolver, were found in their possession.
The shotgun was allegedly left on the accident scene.
The four suspects will be charged for murder, assault with the intent to do grievous body harm and robbery. They are expected to appear in Balfour Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 1 August 2023.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned the farm attack. “The positive contribution from the community member, Villiers and Grootvlei SAPS will not go unnoticed,” concluded the General.
Read about more farm attacks here
Read: Farm murder: Farmer murdered, wife seriously assaulted, 4 attackers arrested after crash, Grootvlei
