The mother and son that were murdered on a farm outside Nelspruit last night have been identified as Annemarie Botha and her mentally disabled son, Ruan. Annemarie was a teacher in Nelspruit.

Police in Mpumalanga have launched a massive manhunt following the brutal murders of the 56-year-old woman and her 34-year-old son during a robbery on a farm outside Nelspruit last night.

Fanie Botha, a section manager on the farm, was on duty. After patrolling the area, he returned home where he found the bodies of his wife and son.

“Emergency services received a complaint around 18:30 about an incident at Valley Farm and upon arrival found the bodies of the two victims. The two seemed to have been hit with an object that has not been identified yet. They were certified dead at the scene. Police opened a murder case and a preliminary investigation has revealed that several items had been stolen from the house,” Colonel Donald Mdhluli, spokesperson for the police in Mpumalanga said.

Jaap Breedt, Fanie’s cousin, confirmed the incident.

“We are concerned about the senseless killings in the farming sector. The incident has been strongly condemned by the management as it occurred during a time when the country is still in shock after two people were recently murdered in Piet Retief. The investigation team should bring the suspects to book quickly,” Mpumalanga acting provincial commissioner Major General Thulani Phahla said.