POLOKWANE – Police in Maleboho have arrested two brothers for the brutal murder of a 55-year-old man and the attempted murder of a 38-year-old woman in Wegdraai Village on Monday (September 1).

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

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

You might also want to read: Insurance murders: Rachel Kutumela and co-accused denied bail in Polokwane court

The older brother (51) allegedly attacked the man with an axe, hacking him to death, and severely injured the woman.

The suspects then fled the scene.

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

The Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said 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 read.

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 said.

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, condemned the brutal attack and welcomed the swift arrests.

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

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