Arson used to hide FARM MURDER

Northam – Police made a gruesome discovery on Friday 4 January when they were summoned to an arson incident at Wildebees Laagte farm outside Northam.

Two burnt bodies were discovered. It is believed that the victims were murdered and the fire was started to hide the crime. 

Upon arrival at the scene, South African Police Services (SAPS) in conjunction with other roleplayers, tried to extinguish the blaze, but with no success. 

They managed to enter the house by breaking a window. The deceased were found with serious burn wounds, but it quickly become clear that the bodies were staged. 

A manhunt led police to Rustenburg where a suspect was arrested by the Northam Police with backup from the Rustenburg public order unit.

During the arrest, the victims’ motor vehicle was recovered at a chop shop in Rustenburg. SAPS also confiscated the victims’ cell phone, tablet, wrist watch and household keys.

The murder suspect (24) was apprehended for two counts of murder, arson, theft of motor vehicle and theft in general. He appeared before the Northam Magistrates’ Court on 7 and 14 January. The case was postponed until 23 January.

The SAPS provincial commissioner in Limpopo lieutenant general Nneke Ledwaba complimented  Northam police and the Rustenburg public order unit for a successful arrest in a complex matter within such a short space of time.