Cape Town - Two pupils, aged 16 and 18, have appeared in the Kroonstad Magistrate's Court in the Free State on charges of hijacking and murder.
Kroonstad police said in a statement on Tuesday that the two suspects appeared in court on Friday following their arrest last week by police at Khuma near Stilfontein in the North West.
Police were alerted by a potential buyer after the two suspects tried to sell a stolen Toyota Tazz for cash on Wednesday August 10.
"On investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle was hijacked a few days earlier," police said. "The two boys took the police to point out the place where they allegedly hijacked and murdered the owner of the vehicle."
Police said that on arrival at Dennehof farm in the Kroonstad district, they were met by a Constable Magade who had responded to a call reporting a decomposing body that was lying on the side of the road.
"In the evening of July 29, 2016 one of the boys allegedly stole his stepfather's firearm and went out with his friend getting up to mischief. The two stood at a hiking spot outside Steynsrus and the driver of the red Tazz picked them up," police said.
"Along the way, just outside Kroonstad, they asked him to stop and he was allegedly shot and left to die on the side of the road. The boys returned the firearm of the unsuspecting father and left for North West with the stolen vehicle where they were arrested as they tried to sell it for cash when a potential buyer alerted the police."
The 16-year-old was released into the custody of his parents, while the 18-year-old was remanded in custody. Both will appear again on August 19.
African News Agency