80-Year-Old Arrested After Young Man Found Buried on Free State Farm

Community shock as police make arrest

Police in the Free State have arrested an 80-year-old man following the grim discovery of a young man’s body buried on a farm between Kroonstad and Welkom on 20 August 2025. The arrest comes after a tip-off from the community prompted a task team from Bloemfontein to investigate the remote property.

“The body was recovered on the farm, and due to its advanced state of decomposition, DNA samples have been taken to confirm the deceased’s identity,” said Brigadier Motantsi Makhele.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened a docket for murder and defeating the ends of justice. Police have also indicated that additional arrests are possible as the investigation unfolds.

Brigadier Makhele urged the local community to exercise patience and refrain from spreading unverified information. “We regard this as a very serious and sensitive case. Let the investigation unfold in an evidence-driven manner,” he said.

A dark chapter revisited

This case bears echoes of a long-standing tragedy on Free State farms. Nearly a decade earlier, in 2016, Sonnyboy Segalo, a young man, was fatally shot on a farm near Brandfort. Segalo had been one of four men allegedly attempting a robbery on the property of then-78-year-old farmer Carl Christian Gutter.

At the time, Segalo was found lying face down with a bullet wound to his back, and firearms linked to the incident were handed over for ballistic testing. While the other three accused were acquitted of attempted robbery, no one was immediately arrested for Segalo’s death.

An inquest into his murder only began in July 2024, nearly eight years after the shooting. In March 2025, the court ordered the arrest of Gutter in connection with the murder, leading to his recent appearance in court. He was granted bail of R2,000.

Balancing justice and calm

This latest arrest has rekindled fears in rural communities about violence on farms, particularly involving elderly farmers and young victims. Social media reactions have been a mix of shock, outrage, and calls for justice. One local resident wrote, “It’s shocking to hear about an 80-year-old being implicated, but the family deserves answers.” Another commented, “We must let the police do their job and avoid witch hunts online.”

The SAPS continues to emphasise the importance of letting evidence guide the proceedings and reminded the public that further arrests could follow.

For communities along the Kroonstad-Welkom corridor, the case is a stark reminder of the fragility of rural safety and the lingering impact of unresolved crimes. As DNA testing confirms the identity of the young man, authorities hope the investigation will bring clarity and closure to a long-standing tragedy.

{Source: The Citizen}

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