Pastor arrested mid-sermon, and thief arrested in court
GRUESOME FARM MURDER UPDATE 

Swartruggens – In an update on the tragic farm murder reported in last week’s Platinum Weekly newspaper, a dedicated multi-disciplinary team has made significant strides in their investigation, leading to several crucial arrests.

The brutal crime unfolded on Monday night, 10 June 2024, at Papknop Farm near Swartruggens. Four suspects invaded the farm, resulting in the senseless murder of 60-year-old Elizabeth Maseloane, a devoted worker. Her 70-year-old husband, also employed on the farm, arrived home only to be attacked by the intruders. They forcibly entered the main house, ransacking it and loading household items onto two bakkies before kidnapping him.

Lieutenant colonel Amanda Funani reported that the elderly man managed to make a desperate escape by leaping from the moving vehicle. Injured and traumatised, he sought help from nearby farmers, which ultimately led to the police being alerted. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this time of grief and sorrow.

ARRESTS MADE
12 June 2024: A 34-year-old woman, Rebone Dipudi, was arrested at an informal settlement outside Swartruggens. Found in possession of suspected stolen items, she appeared before the Swartruggens Magistrates’ Court on 14 June and was granted bail.

14 June 2024: Thabo Mosito, 35, was arrested in court while appearing for another crime (theft and housebreaking) in the Swartruggens Magistrates’. He was linked to the house robbery, theft, murder, and kidnapping case at Papknop Farm. The case was postponed. 

14 June 2024: A 30-year-old woman, the girlfriend of Thabo Mosito, was arrested in Madikwe for possession of suspected stolen property. Initially set to appear in court on 18 June, her case was transferred to Swartruggens, and she is now a state witness.

15 June 2024: A 36-year-old man was arrested at his Rustenburg residence in a crime intelligence-driven operation. He was connected to the Papknop Farm crime but the case against him was later withdrawn. One of the stolen vehicles from the farm was found in his possession. 

16 June 2024: A 45-year-old pastor was arrested during a church service in Mogwase. Found in possession of two firearms stolen during the farm invasion, he appeared in the Mogwase Magistrates’ Court on 18 June.

THE HUNT CONTINUES
Despite these arrests, the manhunt for the remaining suspect(s) continues. The provincial police commissioner, lieutenant general Sello Kwena, expressed his gratitude to all the units involved for their relentless efforts that led to these breakthroughs. They are: the Swartruggens and Bojanala Sub-District 2 Detectives Task Team, Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, Public Order Police (POP), and Tactical Response Team (TRT).