Staff Reporter
A 17-year-old Free State boy has appeared in court for the possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
The minor, who made an initial appearance at the Sasolburg Magistrates Court on Monday, could face more serious charges after it emerged that the owner of the vehicle, a Toyota Yaris, was found dead in the Vals River near Kroonstad.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said in a statement released on Tuesday the minor was stopped by the police on Saturday morning along the R57 while driving the vehicle to Gauteng.
He said the police became curious when they saw him driving the car with a flat tyre.
“They stopped the vehicle and interviewed the minor driver and his three passengers,” said Makhele.
“The driver alleged that the vehicle belongs to his friend in Kroonstad who had asked him to go and sell the vehicle in Johannesburg because he has financial problems,” he added.
Unconvinced by the explanation, the driver was arrested after he failed to produce his driver’s licence and it was discovered that the registration numbers and the licence disc did not correspond.
Makhele said investigations are also continuing to determine if the minor and/or other suspects are linked to the death of the owner of the motor vehicle aged 45.
The court is also expected to decide whether the minor should be kept in custody or released into the care of his parents or guardian.
Meanwhile, the two suspects that have been linked to the killing of Hennenman farmer Pieter Hills, 56, and his son aged 26 have abandoned their bail application.
Tshidiso Patrick Bochedi, 36, and Mojalefa Modise, 38, appeared before the Hennenman Magistrates Court on Monday and chose to remain behind bars.
They are expected back in court on November 20 for the continuation of their case.
The pair is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder, attempted murder and house robbery at a farm in the Swartpan area.
The father died at the scene and the son died later in hospital.