North West Community and Police Collaborate to Arrest Suspects in Kidnapping and Murder Case

In a recent court appearance at the Wolmaransstad Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 12 December 2024, five individuals were charged in connection with a harrowing case of kidnapping and murder that has shaken the local community of Potchefstroom. The suspects were arrested earlier in the week, following a robust investigation by the North West Provincial Anti-Gang Unit alongside officers from Kanana and Leeudoringstad police stations.

The arrests stem from a tragic incident in which two African males were kidnapped and later found deceased under horrifying circumstances. Police were tipped off about the missing men from Kanana, near Orkney, which prompted them to probe a local house and a farm situated between Orkney and Leeudoringstad. The team made a grueling discovery on the farm: two bodies buried in shallow graves, both of which were desecrated by fire.

Khulelaphi Joseph Bernard, 53, the farm owner, and his niece Dikopo Alvin Bani, 27, were arrested on the farm. Bani was found with blood-stained clothing, further implicating them in the crime. Additionally, their violent spree unfolded after a burglary at Bernard’s bottle store earlier that week, which seemingly precipitated the kidnapping and murder after Bernard organized a search party.

Amidst heightened tensions, a Lesotho national named Takana Takana, 36, was apprehended by community members in Kanana in relation to the kidnapping. His capture underscores the profound community involvement, which played a pivotal role in addressing this crime. Siyabonga Bernard, 22, and Obakeng Seiphetlho, 28, also connected with the case, handed themselves over to the authorities. However, Seiphetlho later became a state witness, resulting in the drop of charges against him, highlighting the complexities within this case.

The remaining suspects have been remanded in custody, waiting for the next court proceedings scheduled for 19 December 2024, as they face formal bail applications. The vehicle implicated in the crime has been seized by the police.

Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, the Provincial Commissioner of North West, expressed his profound condemnation of the crime, emphasizing the importance of community-police collaboration in ensuring such violent perpetrators face the full extent of the law. The ongoing investigation continues to unfold as the community seeks justice and healing from this brutal act.