Marlene in Sergio Gomes. (Photo: Marlene Gomes / Facebook).
Four suspects are expected to appear in court on Thursday in connection with the murder of the Gomes couple and the robbery at their slaughterhouse in Mahikeng, North West.
Sergio and Marlene Gomes, owners of the Totobola slaughterhouse, were shot dead on Friday evening after they rushed to the aid of their son during a robbery at the slaughterhouse near their home in the Goldview neighborhood.
According to col. Police spokesperson Adéle Myburgh said the four suspects, aged between 21 and 37, were arrested on Wednesday. They are expected to appear in the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
“Two of the suspects will be charged with the murder of the couple and business robbery. All four suspects will be charged with the illegal possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.”
The police seized three pistols and ammunition during the arrests. One of the pistols belonged to Sergio Gomes. According to Myburgh, an imitation firearm was also seized.
“More arrests are expected soon.”
Maroela Media reported earlier that the Gomes couple learned that their son was the victim of a robbery at the slaughterhouse and that on their arrival at the premises they encountered the suspects at the entrance after which they were shot.
The police were called and found blood stains and Marlene’s body on the pavement. Her husband, who also suffered gunshot wounds, was already rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that evening.
According to the police, there were six masked men. The robbers allegedly forced customers into an office (used as a sitting and meeting place) and ordered them to lie on the floor. The customers were threatened, assaulted and robbed of their mobile phones. A laptop and an unknown amount of cash were also stolen.
After this, the robbers fled in the family’s Ford Ranger. Earlier it was reported that the bakkie was found abandoned in the Magogwe informal settlement on Saturday morning. Some of the stolen mobile phones were also found in the field in the same area.
A dedicated task force from the provincial murder and robbery unit has been assigned to investigate the case.