81-Year-Old Man Murdered In Front Of His Badly Injured Wife During House Robbery

During a house invasion in Belfast, an 81-year-old man was brutally murdered, and his 81-year-old wife was severely injured.

According to Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the couple was discovered by their grandson, Johannes du Plessis, who visited their home.

“A visit to the grandparents’ house was like a nightmare to Johannes du Plessis, who had an unpleasant welcome from the bloody house,” said Mohlala.

On Thursday, at 10.30 a.m., Du Plessis paid a visit to his grandparents’ home. In Belfast, the house is located on McDonald Street.

“According to the report, Du Plessis found his badly injured 81-year-old grandmother, Maria Elizabeth Berrange, lying on the floor with injuries to her body,” said Mohlala.

“He also found the motionless body of his 81-year-old grandfather, Izak Johannes Berrange, lying on a chair with his body covered with blood.”

Police and emergency personnel were called to the site, and Maria Elizabeth Berrange was brought to the hospital, where she is “fighting for her life.”

Her husband was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“On further investigation, it was realised that the couple’s Nissan Sentra and a .22 rifle had been stolen. The vehicle was later recovered at Du Plooy Street,” said Mohlala.

The police have reported a house robbery and a murder case for further investigation.

“The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga strongly condemned the brutal murder and attack of the senior citizens and urged the community to help with information that might lead to the arrest of the suspects,” said Mohlala.