Two juveniles among four people arrested for the brutal murder of farmer, attempted murder on his wife

Two teenagers and two juveniles were arrested after the brutal murder of Mpumalanga farmer Theo Bekker and the attempted murder on his wife, Marlinda. Picture: Facebook

Two teenagers and two juveniles were arrested after the brutal murder of Mpumalanga farmer Theo Bekker and the attempted murder on his wife, Marlinda. Picture: Facebook

Published Aug 4, 2023

Share

The four people arrested in connection with the murder of Mpumalanga farmer, Theo Frederik Bekker and the attempted murder of his wife, appeared in the Balfour Magistrate’s Court on Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority said.

Siyanda Gift Ziqubu, 18, and 18-year-old Kgahliso Motoung appeared alongside two juveniles, who cannot be named.

The four are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, pointing of a firearm, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.

Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga, Monica Nyuswa said the case was postponed to Monday next week for legal representation.

The murder-accused are remanded in custody, pending the outcome of their bail application.

Two teenagers and two juveniles were arrested after the brutal murder of Mpumalanga farmer Theo Bekker and the attempted murder on his wife, Marlinda. Picture: Facebook

“It is alleged that on July 30, the accused acted for a common purpose and went to the victims’ place in Grootvlei, in Balfour. On their arrival, they attacked the deceased and demanded money and a firearm from him.

“It is further alleged that they suffocated the deceased’s wife with a plastic bag and assaulted her several times. They then robbed the victims of an undisclosed amount of money, a firearm, and a vehicle which they drove away with,” said Nyuswa.

The four were arrested after the vehicle they had stolen from the farm was involved in a crash in Villiers, Free State.

Police were alerted about the vehicle crash and that the occupants were fleeing the scene, and the police rushed to the scene.

The stolen Renault Kwid crashed soon after the attack on Mpumalanga farmer, Theo Bekker, who was killed. The four fleeing suspects were arrested at the scene. Picture: SAPS

While searching the vehicle, police discovered that the firearm in the car, and the Renault Kwid belonged to the victims of the murder and robbery in Mpumalanga.

Police recovered a firearm at the crash scene of a Renault Kwid which was stolen during the incident where Mpumalanga farmer Theo Bekker was killed. Picture: SAPS

Nyuswa said the NPA will oppose bail, due to the seriousness of the offence.

IOL