A 56-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Zimbabwean businessman and his friend, whose bodies were found with gunshot wounds outside Polokwane almost a year ago.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, the suspect was arrested by the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit following what police described as “lengthy and intensive investigations” into the double murder that shocked communities in the province in August 2025.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the arrest was made at Diepkloof in Gauteng and forms part of an ongoing investigation into the killings.
“It is alleged that on August 17, 2025, a well-known 37-year-old Zimbabwean businessman and his 27-year-old friend travelled to Dendron to purchase stock including liquor and live chickens,” Mashaba said.
The pair were reportedly travelling along the R521 towards Marowe village when they were allegedly kidnapped by four unknown men driving a white Toyota Avanza.
Police said the victims’ bakkie, which was loaded with the purchased stock, was later found abandoned in Ga-Semenya village in Moletjie, outside Polokwane.
The following day, the bodies of the two men were discovered along a gravel road adjacent to the R37 under the Westenburg policing area.
“On August 18, 2025, the bodies of the two victims were discovered with gunshot wounds along a gravel road next to the R37 public road under the Westenburg policing area,” Mashaba said.
A double murder case was subsequently opened at Westenburg Police Station. It was later transferred to the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit for further investigation.
Police said the breakthrough came after months of investigative work that led detectives to a 56-year-old suspect believed to be linked to the killings.
“Following lengthy and intensive investigations, police traced and arrested a 56-year-old male suspect at Diepkloof in Gauteng Province. The suspect is linked to the two counts of murder,” Mashaba said.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 27, 2026, facing two counts of murder.
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Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za
