Police in Maleboho, Limpopo, have arrested two brothers in connection with the brutal murder of a 55-year-old man and the attempted murder of a 38-year-old woman in Wegdraai Village on Monday.

According to Polokwane Review, the arrests followed a manhunt that ended with the older brother’s capture as he attempted to flee the country.

A police report stated the two victims, both South African, were attacked after the brothers received information suggesting the male victim was romantically involved with the elder brother’s girlfriend.

The man was attacked with an axe, allegedly by the older brother (51), hacking him to death. The woman sustained severe injuries.

The suspects then fled the scene.

Paramedics declared the male victim dead at the scene, while the woman was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Younger brother arrested first

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says investigations led to the arrest of the younger brother (20), who was found at his residence.

“The suspect had allegedly attempted to wash the axe used in the attack to destroy evidence,” his statement reads.

A manhunt for the elder brother concluded last night when he was apprehended in the Alldays policing area.

“The suspect was found hiding in a truck headed for Zimbabwe, carrying a bag of clothes. Like his younger brother, the suspect was also found to be in the country illegally,” he says.

Court appearance

The siblings were due to appear before the Senwabarwa Magistrate’s Court today on charges of murder, attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, and contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, condemns the brutal attack and welcomes the swift arrests.

“This was a brutal act of violence,” she says, adding that ‘we will not tolerate such despicable behavior’.

She applauds the community for assisting police in ensuring the suspect did not evade justice.

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