Harrismith police in the Free State have taken into custody a 26-year-old suspect wanted for a double murder on the farm where the incident took place.
The individual has been charged with two counts of murder and is set to appear at the Harrismith Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Reports from the police indicate that two brothers, Reanetswe Lakaje (9) and Thabiso Lakaje (14), from Toekoms Farm, were allegedly attacked and severely beaten by a known assailant on the farm under circumstances that remain unclear.
“The boys were discovered near the door of their house by a security guard, who found that both their hands and mouths had been fastened with cloth. The security guard immediately alerted the farm manager.
The elder brother was found deceased, while his younger brother was rushed to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Their mother was at work at the time of the incident and was informed afterwards. The motive behind the double murder remains unknown, and police investigations are continuing,” it reads.
Additionally, the report stated that on Thursday, the suspect was apprehended on the same farm based on information received from the local community of Toekoms Farm near Harrismith.
Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, Free State Provincial Commissioner, praised the Toekoms Farm community for refraining from taking matters into their own hands and instead notifying authorities when the suspect was spotted after the brutal incident.
He commended the police for their prompt action in capturing the suspect, emphasizing that justice must be served and that the victims’ family deserves resolution.
