Farmer arrested for murder

2007-08-14 13:46

Johannesburg - A Limpopo farmer charged with kidnapping a trespasser on his farm was rearrested on Tuesday and charged with his murder, police said.

Police also arrested a 22-year-old man, a supervisor on another farm, for defeating the ends of justice, said Senior Superintendent Motlafela Mojapelo.

Johan van Niekerk, 69, of the farm Vygeboom near Gravelotte, was arrested when he reported to the Gravelotte police station to comply with his bail conditions. The 22-year-old was arrested on the neighbouring farm.

This after residents found the badly decomposed body of Richard Mkhari, 47, on Van Niekerk's farm on Saturday. He had apparently been hunting there illegally at the time of his death in July.

The two men will appear in the Gravelotte Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

Van Niekerk previously appeared in court on July 26 where he was charged with kidnapping Mkhari. He was granted bail of R10 000. He was also required to follow certain bail conditions.

"He must report to the police every two days and must not leave the Gravelotte area. He is also not allowed to talk to any witnesses," said Mojapelo.

Police would not disclose what the 22-year-old was suspected of doing.

- SAPA