Elisha Molefe

Elisha Molefe

More than 500 farmers from North West towns descended on the Lichtenburg magistrate's court where one of two alleged killers of an elderly couple appeared yesterday.

Att Deysel, 60, and his wife Katrina, 56, were murdered at their farm between Lichtenburg and Ottoshoop last week.

Deysel had his throat slit "from ear to ear" while his wife was raped before she was shot in the head.

Phillip Moremi, 29, and Andrew Modikela, 41, both from Zeerust, allegedly killed the elderly couple after escaping from the Ottoshoop holding cells.

Moremi was under arrest for the murder of Zaboon Jeena, a local businesswoman. Jeena was tortured with a hot iron, raped, her fingers broken - and stabbed to death.

Modikela was under arrest for robbery and rape.

While on the run, Moremi was cornered at his hideout and shot by police.

Phenye Vilakazi, North West MEC for community safety, had at a meeting after their escape said police should hunt down the suspects and shoot on sight.

Moremi is still recovering at an undisclosed hospital.

Modikela was arrested at his village after a tip-off.

Cawood Magda, a local businesswoman and a farmer, said the killing of the elderly couple was racially motivated.

"The attack was gruesome. Where is the MEC and politicians? They toyi-toyied at a murder case at Swartruggens. Was it because the victims were black?"

Theresa De-Abreu, daughter of the murdered couple, said she thanked all the people who had shown support for them.

"It is not only white people but coloureds as well. This shows this thing has hurt many people, not only our family but the whole of South Africa."

The case was postponed until May 13.