Bruma community shocked by double murder
An 84-year-old mother and her 64-year-old daughter were murdered at a residential complex on Beryl Street in Bruma.
The women’s bodies were discovered on July 30.
“The complainant, who is a trustee at Beverly Hills Manor, alleges that he went to unit number 8 to check up on the residents. He knocked on the door and although no-one answered, the door was slightly open,” said Constable Mpho Mashakane, of the Cleveland SAPS.
He entered the unit and discovered the bodies of the residents on the bathroom floor.
“The two women were handcuffed and cotton wool was inserted in their mouths. The trustee then phoned the police,” said Constable Mashakane.
There were no signs of forced entry and nothing was taken from the house. The pair of handcuffs used had been reported missing from the security guard room.
The gardener, who worked for the women, left his tools in the garden and is currently missing. His cellphone is also switched off.
“We are disturbed by what has happened, but we are grateful to the police for their quick response when they were called. We hope to overcome this tragedy and hope for more vigilance and assistance from the police,” said the caretaker of the complex, who wished remain anonymous.
The EXPRESS spoke to some other residents in the neighbourhood, who expressed their shock at hearing about the murders. “I have worked in this area for the last 11 years and have never heard of anything this terrible happening here. The last time I heard of a crime around here it was a hijacking some years back,” said Ms Thuli Ndaweni, who works as a domestic worker on Beryl Street.
Ms Doreen Fosse, who lives several houses away from Beryl Street, also expressed her shock.
“It is frightening that such a crime happened just down the road from us. I’ve lived here for ten years and have never had to lock my door,” she said. “It is a secure complex and one wonders how the people who committed these crimes went through the security check.”
She said she hopes the police catch whoever committed the crime and passed her condolences on to the family. “Investigations are continuing and this point no arrests have been made,” said Constable Mashakane.
