Police launches investigation after mysterious death and attempted murder

Police are investigating cases of murder and the attempted murder following an ensued spat between neighbours, which led to the death of a 28-year-old man this past Sunday, January 8.

According to the office of the police’s provincial commissioner of the Free State province, the Ficksburg
police nabbed a farmer for the alleged murder.

“It is alleged that on Sunday at about 18:30, the 56-year-old farmer was called by his neighbouring farmer in the District of Ficksburg complaining about his cattle which crossed over to his farm and damaged the fence,” the police said in a statement.

The farmer and his son (28) removed the cattle and he left his father behind.

“The suspect arrived and allegedly started assaulting the farmer who summoned his son.

“Upon his son’s arrival he pulled his firearm and allegedly shot the son five times and the son fired one shot injuring the suspect. Both the farmer and his son drove back home where he immediately took his son
with another vehicle to hospital.

“Unfortunately, the son succumbed to his injuries before they could arrive at the local hospital,” read the statement.

The statement further read that the police found both victims along the R26 road near a filling station where the farmer and his son parked on side of the road.

Police later traced the suspect and found him at a local hospital in Bethlehem and placed him under arrest.

The police confiscated the 9mm pistol from the latter.

Both firearms used by suspect and deceased have been seized.

It is reported that the suspect also opened a case of attempted murder.

The police are investigating the cases of murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The suspect will appear before the Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court soon.