Police are questioning a suspect over the shooting of a farmer and his wife that occurred near the town of Baltimore in Limpopo.
Four other suspects the police picked up during the search for the shooters were released on Thursday after investigators decided they were not linked to the crime.
Johan van Rensburg, 77, was shot dead on Wednesday morning and his wife Goudien, 65, left wounded on their farm in far northern Limpopo. Police said the incident happened at 4am, and the couple were lying in bed at the time.
US hunters who were staying on the farm heard shots and went to investigate. When they approached the house, they spotted four men climbing out of the bathroom window.
Goudien was airlifted to the Mediclinic Limpopo Hospital in Polokwane. Hospital spokeswoman Istha McMillan said on Thursday Goudien remained in a critical condition.
Trackers from the community and police picked up a spoor leading from the crime scene on Wednesday.
The tracks, however, led to the N11 road, where police believe the shooters were picked up by a vehicle. However, police did apprehend a man near Gilead who had tried to run away.
Police said he was wearing shoes that matched the tracks that led from the crime scene. It is unclear if he is still being held by the police.
The other four men detained and later released were also from the Gilead area.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Ronel Otto said a 9mm pistol appeared to be missing from the house, and that there had been a burglary at the premises on Saturday.
“They broke into a lapa on the farm and stole electronic goods,” said Otto.
Police believe the men gained entry by breaking the bathroom’s burglar bars.
The Star