The Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Liziwe Nsthinga commended the SAPS team from Hofmeyr including officers and members of the Detectives, Visible Police and Crime Intelligence who conducted an intelligence-driven operation and arrested a 54-year-old male for his alleged involvement in the murder of an elderly couple in the area.
“Your swift response and arrest of the alleged suspect has restored the public’s trust in the police”, she added.
On Saturday 13 October 2018, members from the Hofmeyr SAPS were alerted by a concerned relative of the couple when she could not reach them on their phone after several attempts. She went to their home and found it locked and decided to contact the police for assistance.
On arrival at the residence, SAPS members gained entrance through a window and searched for the couple inside the house. On further investigation the couple aged 77 years and 65 were found tied up in the bathroom and both had wounds to the upper body.
Exhibits collected by experts at the scene will be forwarded for forensic analysis.
The motive for the killing is not known and will be investigated.
“This was a brutal and callous attack on a defenseless couple which we condemn in the strongest possible terms. We were shocked to learn that the alleged attacker was known to the couple, and this saddened us even more. My sincere condolences to the family and friends of the slain couple,” said Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga.
The suspect is expected to make his first appearance in the local court early next week.