MOPANI – The police in Giyani have arrested a 50-year-old well-known local businessman and charged him with murder on Monday. The incident relating to the case took place at Ndengeza Village near Giyani on Sunday afternoon.

According to Capt Moatshe Ngoepe, spokesperson for the police in the Mopani Area, the suspect had received information earlier that day that the deceased had stolen cash amounting to R1 800 from his business, a bottle store.

According to the information, the deceased had allegedly used the stolen money to buy a cellphone and some clothes. The statement indicates that the suspect, together with a group of people, then embarked on a manhunt for the deceased. They found him and allegedly started to assault him with various objects. The deceased was seriously injured during the ordeal. He was later taken to the Nkhensani Hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival. The search for the suspect started after the incident and he was arrested on Monday.

The police were expecting to make more arrests with regard to the case and the suspect was still to appear in court at the time of going to press. The deceased was identified as Themba Chauke (19) of Ndengeza Village.