Suspects arrested for farm murder
MULDERSDRIFT – Another breakthrough for the police as they arrest three suspects believed to be part of the gang behind crime in Muldersdrift.
Police in Mulderdrift have made a breakthrough in a case of murder and attempted murder of an elderly couple during a housebreaking and robbery on Thursday 8 January. Three suspects aged between 23 and 40 were arrested over the weekend and several stolen goods including three firearms, a laptop, cellphones, a camera and binoculars were recovered.
The suspects were denied bail when they appeared at the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court on 12 January on charges of murder, attempted murder, housebreaking and robbery and possession of suspected stolen property. Three other suspects are still at large and police have launched a manhunt for them.
It is alleged that late on the night of 8 January, a 61-year-old man, Charles Henderson, was murdered and his wife aged 57, Jenny, was tied up and assaulted during a housebreaking and robbery by a group of about four suspects armed with knives and firearms. Spokesperson for the provincial police Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said this happened after the deceased had heard the dogs barking and he went out to check what the problem was. “While outside, he was attacked and hit with a hard object. He was then dragged into the kitchen where his wife was also tied up before the suspects ransacked the house. Several goods including firearms, cellphones, laptop, Ipod and cash were stolen,”explained Dlamini.
When the woman untied herself early the following morning, she found her husband dead in the kitchen. Police were then summoned to the scene. She has since been admitted to hospital where she is receiving treatment. Her condition has been described as serious, but stable.
According to Dlamini, a thorough investigation was conducted and police followed up on information which led to the arrest of three suspects in Johannesburg and at a local informal settlement. Two rifles, a revolver and other stolen items were recovered. It is suspected that the attack on the farm was planned by a suspected syndicate. Police are profiling the suspects, as they are believed to have committed other serious crimes in Krugersdorp and Roodepoort policing areas.
