Three foreign nationals arrested for brutal murder of German tourist who gave lift to hitchhiker in Limpopo
|Published
Three foreign nationals are on Monday scheduled to appear before the Northam Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo, facing charges of murder, following the robbery and brutal killing of a German tourist on Saturday.
Police said the three suspects, aged between 24 and 46, were arrested in connection with the brutal assault and murder of the tourist, aged 74.
The German man departed from Botswana on Friday, and drove into South Africa in a small hatchback.
“He arrived at Lephalale in Waterberg District (Limpopo) on Saturday morning, and as he drove, he offered an unknown male hitchhiker a lift,” according Limpopo police spokesperson.
Along the way, the tourist apparently requested his passenger to assist with finding accommodation around North West province, before he could proceed with his tour across South Africa.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the pair established a friendship to an extent that the victim requested the man (hitchhiker) to drive his vehicle. On arrival at the said accommodation, supposedly in Moruleng (North West), the suspect suggested they pass by a liquor outlet where they had a few drinks,” said Ledwaba.
“That is when the suspect informed his two friends that the elderly man is expecting a substantial amount of money from his family abroad.”
Police believe the hitchhiker then teamed up with two accomplices, before they attacked the elderly visitor.
“The suspect and his two friends drove with the unsuspecting victim to his place, where upon arrival, they tied him up and started to assault him while demanding his bank pin code. They also searched him and took an undisclosed amount of cash and other valuables,” said Ledwaba.
The three assailants then removed the vehicle's number plates and drove with the victim while assaulting him to Northam in Limpopo.
Police said to avoid detection, the assailants used a secluded gravel road.
“When they reached a certain farm, two suspects dragged the victim from the vehicle to dump him in the bushes, while the driver remained in the vehicle,” said Ledwaba.
“Security officials, together with a member of a rural safety, while patrolling, noticed a suspicious vehicle parked at night and without number plates. They stopped to investigate, and that's when they noticed the suspect's blood-stained T-shirt, and they notified the police.”
When police officers arrived at the scene, they started with initial investigations. Two of the three assailants had already fled the scene.
The body of the tourist was found in nearby bushes.
“An intelligence-driven operation was activated, and the two suspects were arrested in North West province later in the evening (on Saturday), in possession of some of the deceased's belongings,” said Ledwaba.
Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo province, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended police for the swift arrest of the suspected trio.
“The victim had trusted this ruthless criminal (the hitchhiker), but he turned against him, and together with his friends, tortured and brutally killed him,” said Hadebe.
“We will work hard to secure a water-tight case that will result in a lengthy conviction for these perpetrators.”
IOL