By Kopano Dibakwane

Police in Pienaar, outside Nelspruit, have arrested a tavern owner together with his accomplice, aged between 33 and 35 years old after charges of kidnapping and murder were levelled against them.

According to a statement released by Mpumalanga police revealed that the two suspects and their friends, who were traveling in a Toyota Hilux bakkie, allegedly kidnapped the deceased victim on 16 December and assaulted him until he was weak after he was accused of theft.

” The victim was allegedly kept inside the tavern during the ordeal. Further details indicated that the following morning(17 December) he was taken to the clinic, but later transferred to hospital.

” The victim did not make it and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries in hospital. What is surprising, according to the information so far, is that the suspects could not show any theft case reported,” said Mohlala.

The police also reported two other incidents, also at Pienaar, in which a 29 year old suspect was arrested for stabbing a man to death on 22 December, while a 38 year old suspect was also apprehended for an alleged fatal shooting incident which took place on the Main Road at the Mashego area.

Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt-General Semakaleng Manamela, has welcomed the arrests.