Prominent Limpopo businesswoman and nephew murdered, set on fire in hotel

Two people were found murdered, with their bodies set alight, at a hotel in Limpopo on Saturday afternoon.

The incident took place just outside Ohrigstad, where a prominent businesswoman and a family member were attacked and killed.

Police at Ohrigstad, in the Sekhukhune District, have launched a manhunt for the suspects.

Police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said that the murder occurred around 1:30pm on Saturday.

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“Police arrived at the scene to discover two burnt bodies, belonging to a 77-year-old woman and her 73-year-old nephew, inside two separate buildings on the hotel premises,” he said.

He said that eyewitnesses reported seeing a male wearing a balaclava fleeing the area.

“At this stage, however, the motive behind the brutal killings remains unknown, and no arrests have been made,” Ledwaba said.

Provincial Commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, condemned the senseless violence and urged anyone with information to come forward and assist the police in their investigation.

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Murder stats

In the latest crime stats, South Africa has shown a considerable spike in murders. Police Minister Bheki Cele confirmed that between January and March 2023, 6 289 people lost their lives due to violent acts involving firearms, knives, sharp and blunt instruments, stones, and even bare hands.

This is a 3.4% increase when compared to the same period last year.

The provinces most affected by the this surge in murders were KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Western Cape and Gauteng.

Additional reporting by Cheryl Kahla