The Limpopo police have launched a manhunt after a 92-year-old woman was brutally murdered by intruders who set the house on fire before fleeing the scene.
THE POLICE at Gilead, in Limpopo’s Waterberg District, have launched an extensive manhunt for suspects responsible for a murder and arson incident which occurred on Thursday night.
According to the police report, a 92-year-old woman, the victim, was asleep in an eight-room house when unknown suspects entered the premises at Ga-Choke, Sterkwater village.
The assailants brutally murdered the elderly woman, according to Limpopo provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
“The victim was later discovered by the police inside the bathroom, tightened with a cloth. Following the brutal attack, the unknown suspects set the house on fire and fled the scene,” he said.
A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
Meanwhile, the provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Limpopo, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, reacted to the incident, saying she is deeply saddened by the “horrific and senseless incident”.
Hadebe has appealed to community members to provide information which can assist in the apprehension of the perpetrators.
“Anyone with information can contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Tshepho Hlako on 076 853 3336, Crime Stop number 08600 10111, nearest police station or use the MySAPS app,” the police appealed.
In another incident, the police at Malamulele, in the Vhembe District of Limpopo, have also launched a manhunt for assailants involved in a shooting incident which resulted in a murder and attempted murder at a bar lounge in Mavambe village.
The horrific incident happened on Friday, at around 8pm, according to Ledwaba.
“The police were notified about the shooting incident at Mavambe village. Upon arrival at the scene, two people had been shot. The first male victim, aged 35, was found lying on the ground, motionless with multiple gunshot wounds, and another victim had also sustained serious injuries,” said Ledwaba.
Emergency medical services personnel were summoned to the scene and on their arrival, they certified the first victim dead at the scene.
The second victim was rushed to a local hospital for medical treatment.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that an unknown man emerged at the bar lounge and shot the victim aged 35. In the process, another male was also shot, and thereafter, the suspect fled the scene on foot.
“Other reports suggest that the suspect was picked up by an unidentified motor vehicle along the way,” said Ledwaba.
The police said the circumstances behind the incident are still being investigated.
“Anyone with information that can assist in the investigation to apprehend the suspects involved should contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Thanyani Bakela, on 082 319 9724, Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, nearest police station, or share information on the MySAPS app,” the police appealed.
