Farmer murdered in Free State

Bloemfontein - Two men have been arrested for the murder of a farmer in Verkykerskop, near Memel, Free State police said on Monday.

Sergeant Thandi Mbambo said the two, aged 19 and 21, were arrested on the road between Verkykerskop and Memel on Saturday.

The body of 59-year-old Gert Engelbrecht was found in his bedroom on the farm Oshoek on Thursday at 22:15. There was a bullet wound under his right eye.

His body was found after a neighbour reported a veldfire on the farm.

The police found a briefcase outside the homestead, along with two DVDs and a DVD player.

A safe in the house was open and firearms had been stolen.

"The suspects had also attempted to steal the bakkies, but failed. Car keys were found in the ignition of the vehicles.

Firearms recovered

"When police arrested the suspects they recovered two firearms, a 9mm pistol and a .22 rifle suspected to have been stolen at the farm," she said.

A .303 rifle possibly used to kill Engelbrecht was also found.

The youths were expected to appear in Memel Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

They would face charges of armed robbery, murder, house robbery, possession of illegal firearms and stock theft - for two horses they allegedly stole from the farm.