Farm murders Afriforum

Photo: Pixabay

Stutterheim chainsaw murder: Farmer in jail for hacking employee to death

The farmer and two of his accomplices have been charged with murder and kidnapping.

Farm murders Afriforum

Photo: Pixabay

Stutterheim investigators will have to piece together the brutal murder involving a farmworker whose body was allegedly hacked and chopped in half by a farm owner and two other accomplices.

What happened in Stutterheim?

According to a Herald Live report, 30-year-old farm employee, Anele Somana’s remains were discovered on Friday, 2 August, after police received a tip-off on suspicious activity at Windledew Farm.

Police spokesperson, Captain Siphokazi Mawisa, revealed that Somana’s body was found cut in half. Investigators believe that the 30-year-old’s body was sliced with a chainsaw.

“A case was reported to the police on Friday, who quickly went to a farm where the male was allegedly kidnapped. On arrival, they found a place that was burnt and found remaining clothes that were worn by the victim. Upon searching, police recovered the remains of a body in the farm. A farmworker was immediately arrested, with two suspects aged 23 and 27 years,” Captain Mawisa noted.

What was the motive behind the brutal killing?

The last time Somana was seen alive was on Saturday, 27 July, and investigators have found evidence that suggests that the 58-year-old Windledew farmer, with the help of his two accomplices, two males aged 23 and 27 respectively, may have kidnapped him to settle an old score.

According to Captain Mawisa, the motive behind the brutal killing may be linked to a case of stock theft.

“There are allegations that he [Somana] stole a goat a long time ago,” she said.

His family concurred with the latter, claiming that it was a case of mistaken identity because the stolen goat was later found in the possession of two kids.

When is the next court date?

The three suspects appeared before the Stutterheim Magistrate’s Court earlier this week on murder and kidnapping charges. The matter has since been postponed for bail applications which are expected to take place on Wednesday, 14 August.

The farmer and his two alleged accomplices have been remanded in police custody until then.

The lessee of the property where the murder took place, Chris Steenkamp, who is a banker based in East London, confirmed that he was aware of the incident and has not offered any information, citing that the matter is being handled by the police.