POLOKWANE – The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the swift arrest of a 28-year-old male suspect allegedly involved in a fatal farm attack near Baltimore in the Tolwe area over the weekend.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday (November 29) claimed the life of farmer, Attie Mahne (77).

Read more: Elderly farmer tied up and killed in Limpopo farm attack

The Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the suspect was arrested in the early hours of this morning following an intensive investigation and multi-disciplinary operation.

“The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort involving the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, Tolwe Detectives, Bosveld Misdaad Ondersoeke, and the private security company, Bosveld Plaasbeveiliging Security,” his statement read.

Details of the attack

The brutal incident unfolded when Mahne left his farmhouse to check on his cattle.

“Two unknown male suspects allegedly entered the house and tied up his wife at knifepoint. When Mahne returned, the intruders confronted, tied him up, and severely assaulted him before fleeing the scene with a firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash,” Ledwaba’s statement read.

Mahne’s wife managed to free herself and alerted the farm watch.

Police and neighbouring farmers responded immediately, finding Mahne still tied up and unconscious. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) declared him dead at the scene.

The suspect will appear before the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (December 3) while the search for the second suspect continues.

Hadebe praised the collaborative efforts, stating “this swift arrest is a demonstration of our commitment to fighting violent crime, especially those targeting our rural communities.”