BY Obakeng Maje

Ventersdorp: Police have made a breakthrough in a case of a murder, attempted murder and house robbery that happened on Sunday, 17 March 2013 in a Sterkstroom farm outside Ventersdorp. 

Police arrested a 22-year-old suspect and are questioning another one who is believed to be the second suspect. 

” The 22-year-old man was arrested on Sunday night at about 23:00 after Police received a tip-off from the member of the community.  Allegedly the suspect was seen with the stolen items and Police were alerted. The suspect was found in possession of three firearms, a digital camera and knives that the Police confiscated” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

 A 67-year-old farmer and his 64-year-old wife were attacked by two suspects Sunday at about 09:45.

“It is alleged that the two suspects surprised the 67-year-old farmer outside the couple’s house and assaulted him with a blank object on the head and dragged him into the house. While inside the house, the suspects saw the victim’s wife and they assaulted her too” Ngubane said. Police suspects that the woman was raped in the process and the medical report is awaited.

“After the alleged assault on a woman, they took two cellular phones, tied the woman with ropes and fled the scene on foot” police said. 

The 64-year-old woman managed to untied herself and went to seek help at the neighbouring farm.  

The 67-year-old farmer died on the scene and the woman was taken to a hospital in Klerksdorp where she is recovering. 

Police suspects that the motive for the incident was a house robbery. 

The 22-year-old suspect is expected to appear before Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of stolen property and house robbery.

Investigation continues.