Durban - KwaZulu-Natal police stumbled across a double murder of a couple in their 70s while chasing a thief.
Major Thulani Zwane said KwaMbonambi police received information on Monday on the whereabouts of a man wanted for a case of theft from December last year.
Police spotted the man driving with a passenger and stopped the vehicle.
"As soon as he saw the police, he abandoned the vehicle and fled. Police managed to arrest the passenger," he said.
The passenger was found in possession of a gun, a wallet with cards that did not belong to him, and other suspected stolen property.
"Further... investigation led them [the police] to Glendower Crescent, KwaMbonambi, where they were met with a gruesome murder scene," Zwane said.
"An elderly couple, aged 73 and 76, were found in their home with stab wounds and with evidence that their home was ransacked. The suspects had allegedly accosted the couple, tied them up, robbed them and killed them before fleeing."
Zwane said the two were confronted by police while fleeing the scene.
The recovered gun belonged to the couple.
The man who was arrested will be charged for murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of suspected stolen property when he appears in KwaMbonambi Magistrate's Court soon.
Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said they would ensure that the man who fled was be arrested.
"We will thoroughly investigate this case and ensure that the culprits are placed before court so that they can be prosecuted for killing these elderly citizens," she said.
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