The 56-year-old father was fatally shot in the head, whilst his son was stabbed by the assailants upon his arrival from the gym. The 26-year-old was transported to a nearby Welkom hospital. He was later transported to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, where he was reportedly declared brain dead and has since passed. 

The Free State police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, has confirmed this and that the two remaining men, now accused of this double murder, will jointly appear before the Local Magistrate’s Court next week Monday.

The number of accused in the case has decreased by two after one suspect was found hanging in a police cell on Saturday morning, whilst the second had to be released from custody because he couldn’t be linked to the crime. The remaining accused, 36-year-old Tshidiso Bochedi and 38-year-old Mojalefa Modise, each made their first court appearances in the Hennenman Magistrate's Court on Monday and Wednesday.

According to Mbambo, the duo is facing two counts of murder and house robbery. Mbambo says the case has been postponed to Monday 16 November for further investigations. It will also be the first time that the accused will be in the dock together since they were arrested last week.

Media reports indicate the family’s domestic worker, Anna Bochedi, went in search of the victims on Friday morning 6 November 2020, after the deceased’s wife, Antoinette, raised her concerns regarding her inability to get a hold of her family telephonically. The family’s employee found the two men unresponsive.

It is believed between two and three handguns were stolen in the incident.

OFM News