Body found in burnt-out Volvo

2007-10-26 12:22

Bloemfontein - A burnt-out car with a body inside was found along a farm road near Kestell in the Free State, police said on Friday.

Spokesperson Superintendent Motarafi Ntepe said workers from a nearby farm were on their way to milk cows at about 15:00 on Thursday when they noticed a burning car on the farm road.

"They immediately contacted the farm owner who alerted the police."

Police found a Volvo with a body in the passenger seat.

"The victim had a wire fastened around the neck and feet. Two used (firearm) cartridges were found on the scene," said Ntepe.

Truck driver shot at

She said the incident was under investigation and could possibly be connected to an earlier incident on the N5 road during which a truck driver was shot at.

Ntepe said about two hours before the Volvo was found a truck driver was travelling on the N5 road on his way to Harrismith. The drivers of a white Volvo and a silver BMW tried to force him off the road between Bethlehem and Kestell.

"He drove in the middle of the road to stop the suspects from getting the right of way."

Ntepe said the driver claimed that shots were also fired at his truck but that he kept on driving. He reported a case of attempted hijacking at the Kestell police station, who escorted him to Harrismith.

Ntepe said the remains of the body would be sent to the forensic science laboratory in Pretoria.

- SAPA