Progress has finally been made in the 2021 murder of Free State farmer Christiaan van Tonder (29).

Fredrick Pieter Jacobus Botha (42) was arrested on Tuesday – almost two years after the murder was committed.

Botha is a Vanderbijlpark man who allegedly killed Botha after he purchased cattle from him on November 29, 2021.

He faces charges of murder and stock theft to the value of R293 000.

It is said that on the fateful day in 2021, Van Tonder – who had taken over the family farm near Lindley in the eastern Free State – sold 31 cattle to Botha.

According to Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, after the cattle were handed over to the accused, it is alleged that he asked Van Tonder to drive him to a remote area near Theoville plots in Barrage to finalise the payment.

“When they arrived at the place, it is alleged that the accused shot and killed the deceased in his bakkie,” Mahanjana adds.

“This was discovered and reported to the police the same day by the neighbourhood watch of Barrage after they found the bakkie with his body inside.”

Botha appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, and the matter was postponed to Monday for a formal bail application.