On Thursday 30 July police responded to a complaint of a possible murder in Tulbagh Street, Virginia. Free State police spokesperson Sgt. Palesa Thabana said upon arrival the officers were directed to an outside room where two bodies were discovered.

“The two victims were found with their hands and feet tied, and there was blood on the floor. One victim was found with plastic covering his head, while the other had been strangled with a wire around his neck.”

According to the police, the deceased were found by neighbours and private security officers after they had reportedly been missing. “Efforts were made to search the premises and gain entry to the outside room where the gruesome discovery was made. Police were then called to the scene.”

Thabane said the suspects are still being sought by the police, and the alleged silver Hyundai Getz belonging to one of the victims has not been recovered. “It is highly possible that the vehicle was taken during the house robbery, which subsequently then led to the murders of the deceased persons.”

House robbery is still being investigated as the motive at this stage, unless further investigations reveal otherwise, she added.

Forensic investigations were conducted, and post-mortem results revealed the causes of death were strangulation and suffocation. “No new evidence has emerged, but we can also add that further investigations have indicated that two firearms were possibly taken during the house robbery.”

The two deceased were formally identified by their next of kin on Monday (3/8) as Fanie Fourie (68), and his son, Dawie (40). No link between this case and other recent crimes in Virginia are being investigated.

The police are still appealing to members of the public or anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to contact Capt. Gerrie Nel of the provincial murder and robbery unit on 082 506 8432, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit an anonymous tip via the MySAPS app.

OFM News/Siyakholwa Mbatyazwa sm

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