The police officer who had been stabbed to death over the weekend, has been identified as Detective Warrant Officer Andrew Nthabeleni Mudau.
The 59-year-old detective was an officer based at the Makhado SAPS. According to the provincial police spokesperson, Lt-Col Moatshe Ngoepe, Mudau was murdered by a suspect who was sought for a variety of charges which include assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and theft out of a motor vehicle.
"It is understood that the [Makhado] police were following up information after cases of theft out of motor vehicles and assault were reported against the suspect. The information led police to a house in the town Louis Trichardt," said Ngoepe.
The house was situated along Koedoe Street.
"The suspect became violent when the police wanted to arrest him and stabbed the detective [Mudau], who later died in hospital," said Ngoepe. He further confirmed that a 30-year-old suspect was arrested after he was cornered and subdued in the house.
It is expected that the man will appear before the Louis Trichardt Magistrate Court on Monday on charges of murder, theft out of a motor vehicle and assault.