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Elderly man arrested in Free State
Police in the Free State have arrested an 80-year-old man for murder and defeating the ends of justice following the discovery of the body of a man on a farm between Kroonstad and Welkom on 20 August 2025.
The arrest followed after an alleged a tip off from the community.
Police Spokesperson Motantsi Makhele says there is a possibility of additional arrests.
“A task team from Bloemfontein followed leads which led them to a farm situated along the road between Kroonstad and Welkom, where the remains were recovered. It is alleged that the deceased was buried on the farm. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, DNA samples were taken for analysis to confirm the identity of the deceased. A docket has been opened on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice. It can be confirmed that 80-year-old man has been arrested and is expected to appear in court soon,” says Makhele.
#sapsFS The SAPS can confirm that the body of a young man was discovered on 20/08 following a #TipOff from the community. A task team from Bloemfontein followed leads which led them to a farm situated along the road between Kroonstad and Welkom, where the remains were recovered.… pic.twitter.com/QuT3VKiUWX
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 2, 2025
Earlier, Dr Koos Troskie, the grandfather of the suspect accused of killing and burying a person in a shallow grave in Kroonstad in the Free State, has told the media that he has himself killed before; and will kill again if he is attacked on his farm.
It’s alleged that the deceased was fatally shot and buried secretly in an unmarked grave in July this year.
Dr Troskie says the latest incident is part of the attacks that have been happening on his farms.
“I feel very bad because this is a second attack. The first one (the attacker) shot me from outside my house and he missed, and his angle was too bad. I came back with a shot gun and I killed him. I will kill someone. I said I was attacked. If I am a farmer and you attack me, I will kill.”
Yesterday, members of the Economic Freedom Fighters in Free State the province threatened to shut down Dr Troskie’s medical practice following the discovery of the body.
Members of the party held demonstrations outside the surgery calling for justice.
