The community forum indicated on Tuesday that according to the suspects, the bodies of two of their victims were concealed in rocky terrain.
THE VAALHARTS community forum is assisting in the search for the elderly couple who were attacked and abducted from their farm in Magogong near Hartswater on Sunday.
The police launched a manhunt on Monday after the couple and their daughter went missing following an attack at their farmhouse. Three suspects have since been arrested in connection with the incident.
The community forum indicated on Tuesday that according to the suspects, the bodies of two of their victims were concealed in rocky terrain in close proximity to where one of the suspects had pointed out the body of the elderly couple’s 50-year-old daughter, in the Taung/Buxton area near the Ghaap plateau.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said on Tuesday that three suspects have been arrested on charges of robbery, kidnapping and murder.
“It is believed that a group of people attacked a family of three – an 83-year-old father, a 79-year-old mother and their 50-year-daughter – at their farmhouse on July 26,” said Naidoo.
He indicated that the incident was reported to the police on Monday after a family member, residing in Johannesburg, had been unable to contact his parents and sister since Sunday.
“All three occupants of the house could not be found and their two sedans were also missing”
Naidoo added that crime intelligence, forensic experts, detective services and other supporting units were involved in the massive search for the family.
“One of the stolen cars, a Nissan Micra, was found abandoned at Majaneng village, Taung in the North West Province on Monday night. The second vehicle, a grey Mazda CX5, was spotted in the area of Pudimoe, being driven by a woman with two male passengers. The vehicle was stopped and the three suspects were subsequently arrested.”
Naidoo stated that follow-up investigations were conducted throughout the night.
“In the early hours of Tuesday morning the body of the 50-year-old daughter was found in a field near Takaneng village in Taung. She had been murdered but the cause of death is yet to be determined.”
Naidoo said that the search for the elderly parents and possibly a fourth suspect was continuing.
“At this stage, the motive for the attack is suspected to be robbery.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have any information on the whereabouts of the elderly couple or the fourth suspect to please contact the SAPS on the Crime Stop number 086 00 10111. Information may also be provided via the MySAPSApp.”
Naidoo said that all information would be treated with the strictest confidence.
