A man was found hanged in a clump of trees and another was found in a beaten state at a deserted spot on the Middelplaat Road near the Msobo Mine north of Ermelo on Tuesday morning.
The gruesome discovery was made by a farmer who was passing and saw the beaten man, who had apparently endured the night out in the open.
Both the deceased and the survivor were employed by the Department of Public Works in Ermelo.
A vehicle belonging to the deceased was found abandoned on a farm some distance away.
Police spokesman for Ermelo, Capt Carla Prinsloo, said details were sketchy at this early stage, but initial information suggests that two armed men abducted the victims from the deceased’s home on Monday evening.
The victims were taken to the deserted spot where the atrocities took place.
The motive for the murder and assault is not known at this stage.
Police investigations are continuing.
