In a dramatic turn of events, Gqeberha police arrested a couple on Thursday night believed to be linked to a double murder in the small town of Oranjeville in the Free State.
A woman, 36, and her husband, 34, were arrested about 760km away after members of the K9 unit and flying squad spotted the vehicle reported missing after the murders.
Their 10-year-old daughter, who was also in the vehicle, was then taken to a place of safety.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said Oranjeville police had discovered the bodies of Johannes van Vuuren, 80, and Dorothia van Staden, 58, at a house in Market Street, Oranjeville, on Thursday evening, at about 6.15pm.
It is not clear what the relationship between the two were.
Van Vuuren was found in a courtyard at the house with multiple stab wounds, while Van Staden was found in the garage.
It appeared she was beaten to death as she had multiple injuries to her head and body.
The house had been ransacked and several household items, including TVs, a computer and other electronics, were missing. The gold BMW 3 Series had also been stolen.
“It is alleged that when Mrs Van Staden’s husband’s attempts to contact his wife throughout the day had failed, a relative was sent to the house to investigate and that’s when the gruesome discovery was made,” Naidu said.
Van Staden’s daughter lived in the house where the bodies were found, along with her husband and their daughter.
They were no longer at the house when police did their preliminary investigations and the registration number for the BMW was immediately circulated.
“At about 9pm on Thursday, members of Gqeberha’s K9 unit and flying squad received information that the vehicle was headed towards Gqeberha. Shortly thereafter the vehicle was spotted on the N2 near Coega.
“The officers managed to stop the vehicle and arrest the suspects.
“It is alleged that the couple were on their way to Kariega,” Naido said.
The woman and her husband were detained on two charges of murder and one of house robbery.
The vehicle was also impounded for further investigation.
They are expected to appear in the Heilbron Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
HeraldLIVE
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