Police on Tuesday arrested four suspects who allegedly killed a Heidelberg farmer by dragging him behind his own vehicle with a rope tied round his neck, spokesperson Superintendent Andy Pieke said.
The body of Joaquim Homem de Gouveia (70) was found on December 18 on a deserted area of the farm.
Two of the suspects were children of staff working on the farm.
His farm house had been broken into between December 15 and 16. Several items were missing from the house.
His vehicle was found on December 16 but there was no trace of the farmer.
Searches were conducted until his body was found.
The suspects were arrested by members of the East Rand serious and violent crime unit in Duduza and at Windmill Park, Boksburg.
Two are aged 15 and the others are 21 and 25.
The police recovered a quad bike and a cellphone that had been stolen from the farm.
The four are expected to appear in court in Heidelberg on Thursday to face a charge of murder.
Investigations continue and police are searching for two more suspects who have gone into hiding. — Sapa