FOURIESBURG – Three South African men arrested in connection with the brutal murder of an Ethiopian tuckshop owner, are expected to make their first appearance before the Fouriesburg Magistrate’s Court, Free State, today. The trio, aged, 18, 23 and 26, were arrested yesterday – Thursday.
Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, spokesperson for the Free State police, said the deceased’s brother reported him as missing on Tuesday. He said members of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Police Operational Crime Combatting Unit traced and arrested the suspects, acting on intelligence. Mophiring said their arrest was based on prima facie evidence gathered during ongoing investigations.
“The suspects face charges of kidnapping, murder and theft of a motor vehicle. One suspect faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of ammunition. During the arrest, 27 rounds of live ammunition were seized from one of the suspects,” said Mophiring.
Mophiring said investigators gathered critical information in the murder of the Ethiopian that led to the arrest and his vehicle. “Further investigation revealed that the stolen bakkie had allegedly been sold in Gauteng Province for an undisclosed amount of money,” said Mophiring. He said information led to the arrest of the 18-year-old suspect, a Gr. 11 learner at a high school in the Mashaeng township. “His arrest subsequently led to the apprehension of two alleged accomplices, also from Mashaeng,” said Mophiring.
Mophiring said the deceased’s body was discovered on Wednesday at approximately 09:00, covered with a large white recycling bag and hidden among trees in one of the camps next to the R26 road. He said police received a complaint from a community member about human body near Uitkyk Farm, about 5km outside Fouriesburg towards Ficksburg.
“The deceased was found wearing blood-stained clothing and was later identified by his sibling, who resides in Fouriesburg. Preliminary investigation revealed that a blunt object was used, as the deceased suffered a deep wound to the head,” said Mophiring. He said the brother reported he last saw the deceased on Sunday (6 September) after they attended a church service in Bethlehem.
“On Tuesday, the brother realised that the deceased was not at home and that his white Toyota Hilux bakkie, with Free State registration plates, was also missing. He subsequently reported him missing at the local police station,” said Mophiring. He said the deceased was reportedly staying alone at a rented residence.
