POLICE in Limpopo have arrested a 29-year-old suspect, Bazali Mathebula, in connection with the murder of a local farmer, Robert Scholtz (78).
Mathebula was arrested on Tuesday, 20 May.
Scholtz, who was a small-scale farmer based in Rosenekal under Sekhukhune District was allegedly attacked on Wednesday, 30 May at his Stoffkraal farm. He was discovered the following day by one of his relatives.
Scholtz, who stayed alone at his farm, was found in a pool of blood with severe head injuries and a cloth stuck on his mouth.
Some of Scholtz's belongings including a shotgun were reportedly stolen.
Police said during the arrest, a shotgun linked to Scholtz's murder case was discovered.
Police spokesman in Limpopo, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, said: "Acting on credible intelligence regarding a firearm reportedly stolen during a farm attack, officers were led to a farm in the Laersdrift area in Rosenekal. There, they arrested a male suspect and recovered a disabled shotgun which was linked to Scholtz's murder case."
The suspect has already appeared in Groblersdal Magistrate court on Friday, 23 May and was released on bail.
"The suspect was granted bail of R4 000, and the case was remanded to 23 June 2025 for further investigations," said Mashaba.
Mashaba added that investigation continues.
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"The investigation into the murder of Robert Scholtz remains ongoing, and additional arrests have been ruled out as the probe continues."
The family of the slain farmer previously told Daily Sun that they are furious about the killing of their dad.
One of Scholtz's sons, Rudi Scholtz, said: "We are actually furious; we want to take law into our own hands, but we can't; we must wait for the law to take its course. Our dad was killed in cold blood, he was attacked with pangas and all sorts of things."
Agri Limpopo condemned killings of farmers.
The organisation's spokeswoman, Deidre Carter, commented: "Acts of violence against our farmers not only rob us of our loved ones, but strike at the heart of rural safety and food security. Agri Limpopo strongly condemns this heinous act and continues to call on law enforcement to prioritise rural safety."
Scholtz was laid to rest on Friday, 9 May 2025.
