KEY POINTS
- Free State police are searching for three suspects who impersonated police officers and murdered a 30-year-old man on a farm outside Thaba Nchu.
- The attackers assaulted the victim with fists and an iron thread puller, leaving him with severe injuries, while a woman managed to escape and alert authorities.
- The incident has sparked calls for improved rural safety measures and highlights the growing issue of criminals impersonating law enforcement officials.
Free State police have launched an intensive manhunt for three suspects following the brutal murder of a 30-year-old man on a farm outside Thaba Nchu.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, 21 March 2025 in Thaba Nchu, has sent shockwaves through the rural community, as the suspects allegedly impersonated police officers to gain access to the property.
According to police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli, the three armed men arrived at the farm in Thaba Nchu and called out the victim’s name. “The suspects forcibly entered the residence by breaking down the door and locked a female and another fellow employee in the room. They then confronted the deceased, demanding information about missing sheep while assaulting him with fists and an iron thread puller,” Kareli explained.
The attackers’ motives remain unclear, but their violent methods have raised concerns about the safety of rural communities in the Free State.
The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, sustained severe injuries to his head and body during the assault in Thaba Nchu.
Timeslive reports that a woman who was locked in the room managed to escape and discovered the victim’s lifeless body face down on the ground.
“The woman managed to escape from the locked room and discovered the victim’s body face down with injuries and bruises on the head and body,” Kareli added. A case of murder has been opened, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
A growing problem of impersonation
The incident has highlighted the growing problem of criminals impersonating law enforcement officials to carry out violent crimes.
In recent years, there has been a spike in similar cases across South Africa, particularly in rural areas where police presence is often limited.
Free State police have assured the public that they are doing everything in their power to apprehend the suspects. “The police urge anyone with information related to this incident to come forward and assist with the investigation,” Kareli said. Authorities have provided a hotline number (08600 10111) for tips and information.
The murder in Thaba Nchu has also reignited debates about rural safety and the need for improved security measures in farming communities.
Farmers’ unions and community leaders have called for increased police patrols and better coordination between law enforcement agencies to prevent such crimes.
This tragic incident comes amid a series of high-profile crimes in the Free State and other parts of the country. Just days ago, a breakthrough was made in the Rea Vaya murder cases, with a suspect arrested following a tip-off.
Meanwhile, in Gauteng, police are grappling with a rise in “blue light” robberies involving corrupt officers.
As the manhunt continues, the Thaba Nchu community remains on edge, with many calling for justice and greater protection for rural residents.
The Free State police have vowed to leave no stone unturned in their search for the suspects, emphasizing that such acts of violence will not be tolerated.
