GQEBERHA - COUPLE ARRESTED FOR ROBBERY AND THE GRUESOME MURDER OF 2 ELDERLY FREE STATE PEOPLE

A couple, allegedly involved in the murder of two elderly people in the Free State, was arrested last night, 23 September 2021, by members of the K9 and Flying Squad units in Gqeberha.

It is alleged that on Thursday, 23 September 2021, at about 18:15, police in Oranjeville discovered the bodies of two people found murdered at house in Market Street in Oranjeville. The body of Johannes Van Vuuren (80) was found in the courtyard with multiple stab wounds while the body of Dorothia Van Staden (58) was found in the garage. Mrs Van Staden sustained multiple head and body injuries. The house was ransacked and several household items including TV sets, computer, etc were missing.

It is further alleged that when Mrs Van Staden’s husband’s futile attempts to contact his wife throughout the day had failed, a relative was sent to the house to investigate and that’s when the gruesome discovery was made.  His stepdaughter, her husband and their 10-year-old daughter, who live in the same house, were missing. An alert for their vehicle, a gold BMW and registration number, was immediately circulated.

At about 21:00 last night, members of Gqeberha K9 unit and Flying Squad received and followed up on information that the vehicle is heading towards Gqeberha. The vehicle, a gold BMW 3 series was spotted on the N2 near Coega.  Members followed it and successfully pulled it over.

Two people, a 36-year-old female and her husband, aged 34, were arrested and detained for two counts of murder and house robbery. Their 10-year-old daughter was taken to a place of safety. The vehicle was impounded for further investigation. It is alleged that the couple were on their way to Kariega.

They are expected to appear in the Heilbron Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 27 September 2021.