By OBAKENG MAJE

Two farmers who were allegedly arrested for murder briefly appeared in Brits Magistrate’s Court today. Louis Coetzee (47) and Jaco Kemp (45) were arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning after the police spotted a suspicious charcoal Nissan NP 200 bakkie along R511 road in Kameeldrift, outside Brits.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the police allegedly made a U-turn and chased the vehicle. 

“The vigilant police arrested Coetzee and Kemp in the early hours of Sunday morning in the R511 Road outside Brits. According to information, the police were conducting routine patrols when they saw a suspicious charcoal Nissan NP 200 bakkie.

“They made a U-turn to chase the vehicle. The police managed to pull the vehicle over and eventually conducted a search. As a result, they discovered the lifeless body of Dumisani Phakathi (45) covered with plastic bags at the back of the vehicle,” said Funani.

She further said Coetzee and Kemp tried to run away, but they were arrested. Funani added that the accused allegedly assaulted the man, who was on their farm to fetch water.

“The accused were remanded in custody and their case was postponed until 26 September 2023. The third suspect who was linked in this case was also arrested at Brits this morning and will appear before Brits Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the Assen police for their vigilance and commitment that led to the swift arrest of the two suspects.

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