A man has been arrested for the murder of a Ventersdorp farmer, North West police said.

Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said the 22 year old was apprehended last night. “He will appear in the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court tomorrow,” Ngubane said.

The suspect is one of two accused of attacking a 67 year old man outside his house on the farm Sterkstroom yesterday morning.

Ngubane said they hit the farmer over the head and dragged him into the house. They found his 64 year old wife and attacked her. It is believed they also raped her.

The men tied her up and fled with two cellphones. She managed to free herself and found help on a neighbouring farm. The farmer died on the scene. His wife was recovering in hospital in Klerksdorp.

The suspect, who lived close to the farm, has been charged with murder and attempted murder. Ngubane said more charges could be added.

North West Premier Thandi Modise condemned the attack.

“Perpetrators of violence against our farming community, particularly the vulnerable elderly, should have no place in society but be permanently removed,” she said