MOPANI – The police in Mopani have opened a case of murder following the death of a 72-year-old man, Mr Samuel Baloyi of Tekaneng Village.

The incident took place at Tekaneng Village in the Ritavi area on Saturday. According to the spokesperson of the police in the Mopani Area, Capt Moatshe Ngoepe, Mr Baloyi left his home on Saturday afternoon. He told members of his family that he was going to his mealie field.

The family was astonished when the old man did not return later that afternoon. They started searching all over the area that night and found his body in the mealie field on Sunday morning.

According to the police statement there were multiple stab wounds on his head and that his ears had been cut off.

The motive for his killing was still a mystery at the time of going to press. A hand-held hoe and panga were found next to Mr Baloyi’s body.

No arrest had been made at the time of going to press and the police are investigating the matter. The police have appealed to anyone with information relating to the case to contact the nearest police station.