An elderly couple, aged 80 and 83, were found dead and tied up with ropes in their home, in separate rooms at Ga-Kuranta village in Limpopo, on Tuesday at around 8pm.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the authorities were alerted about the murder incident and rushed to the scene.
Mashaba said upon arrival, the police were informed about two lifeless bodies of an elderly male and female victim in separate rooms.
“They went inside the house and discovered an 83-year-old male tied with a rope on the neck while seated on the floor,” he said.
Mashaba added that the police then proceeded to another room and found an 80-year-old woman victim also tied with a rope on the neck while lying on her back facing upward.
Both had the ropes around their necks tied to the roof.
“The members of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were summoned at the scene and declared the duo dead on arrival at the scene,” Mashaba said.
He said the deceased had no visible injuries to their bodies.
“It is alleged that the deceased were allegedly in a relationship when they met their untimely death,” he added.
Additionally, two cellphones belonging to the deceased were also stolen during the incident.
The deceased were positively identified by the next of kin as Maphetola Selaelo Rasodi and Malekutu Alfred Mokhupi.
Mashaba said the motive for the murders is still unknown, and police have launched an investigation into a case of house robbery and two counts of murder.
The case is being investigated by the Mokwakwaila police station under the Mopani district.
“Police have launched a manhunt of the unknown suspects and anyone with information that can assist with the investigations should contact the Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Thai Modjadji on 0609960062 or crime stop number 0860010111 or nearest police station or MySAPS App,” Mashaba said.
He added that the men and women in blue are still continuing with investigations.
On Wednesday, IOL News reported that a missing Limpopo nurse, 64-year-old Morudi Frank Phetla, has been found dead.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng said the professional nurse was kidnapped while he was about to enter his yard at Zamane Section, in Jane Furse.
The kidnapping incident happened on Sunday evening, at around 7pm.
“The vehicle was found idling, with headlights still on, and he was nowhere to be found. A case of kidnapping was registered for further investigation,” said Thakeng.
“The body was found with head injuries the following day, on March 17, 2025, at about 6.30am, by a shepherd. The body was found under Mabintana bridge in Jane Furse.”
Police said Phetla was identified by his next of kin.
“The motive of the killing is currently unknown, and the investigation continues,” said Thakeng.