A 32-year-old shopkeeper appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court in the Free State on Monday for allegedly ordering the murder of his landlord and her son.

Sojol Khan was arrested on Saturday on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder and was released on R1 000 bail. He will appear in court again on 2 July.

According to Free State police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, it is alleged that Khan wanted to murder his landlord and her son. He had set up a tuck shop container on their property in Phase 6, Mangaung.

"The suspect had [allegedly] already paid R6 000 of the R12 000 for the killing of the son, after he was made to believe that the deed had been completed," Makhele said.

"He thereafter allegedly ordered that the mother should also be killed [for] the same amount. The police were informed and a crime intelligence-led operation was launched and observation kept on the suspect until he was arrested on Saturday."

Makhele said, following Khan's bail release, the community went on a rampage and burnt his tuck shop. One person was arrested for possession of a firearm after he allegedly fired it in an attempt to disperse the crowd. He will appear in court soon.

Free State police commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane said: "The act of people resorting to vigilantism will not be tolerated. We request the community to understand and respect court proceedings, thereby allowing the law to take its course."