The MEC for Police, Roads and Transport in the Free State, Honourable Butana Komphela, strongly condemns the killing of innocent people during the past week that shocked the province. He also sends condolences to the family members of the victims. 

Referring to the murder spree in the province since last Tuesday he says the senseless and cold blooded murders must stop and that the perpetrators of these crimes are not welcome in the Free State.

MEC Komphela also applauded the members of the South Africa Police Service who worked and are still working tirelessly to apprehend the criminals involved in these brutal incidents that include:

• The small town of Senekal was shocked at the murder of an elderly lady, Rina Hough (65). She was attacked and murdered with a sharp object while tending her garden at her house in Senekal on 15 April 2014. No arrest has been made in this case. 
• The double murder of Brian (62) and his wife, Mathilda Pope (46) on the Tweevley Guest Farm near Harrismith on 19 April 2014 send shockwaves through the country. Their son, Warren Pope and his wife were also injured during the attack. The suspect, a caretaker at the guest farm, was arrested and the case is being investigated.
• In another shocking incident of an apparent family murder, a man from Thabong killed his wife and four-year-old daughter on 21 April 2014 before committing suicide. Police officers found the body of a 34-year-old woman with three bullet wounds and the girl’s body was found on a bed in a bedroom. According to the police, a 53-year old man, Teboho Tleru, was found inside the house on a couch with a wound to the head. He had a firearm in his hand.  
• Police in Virginia are seeking assistance from the community after the murder of a lodge employee, Tefo Mokheseng, at the popular Tikwe Lodge in the early hours of 22 April 2014 when the lodge was robbed by about 16 robbers. The robbers forcefully entered the lodge and overpowered the two security guards posted at the main gate. A mounted safe, liquor and cigarettes from the vending machine were stolen. No arrest has being made and Police are still investigating.

MEC Butana Komphela  also want to assure Free Starters that our law enforcement agencies will continue their best endeavours to ensure the perpetrators of these gutless and wicked acts are brought to justice.