One of the suspected killers of Betty Ketane told the Palm Ridge Court yesterday that he could not remember what he had stated in his bail application statement.
The former captain in the SAPS, David Ranger, was testifying in the Palm Ridge Court yesterday.
Mr Ranger said during the bail application he was confused due to other matters that were happening in his life and which were not related to the case.
He and his brother, former Warrant Officer Carel Ranger along with four others, were arrested after a letter detailing the torture, killing and burial of Ketane emerged.
At the time of her disappearance, Ketane was working at a restaurant of one of the accused.
The Yeoville SAPS communications officer, Constable Thabo Malatji, said during Mr Ranger’s court appearance, the state argued that as a former police officer, he should have understood everything in the statement he had previously made.
Const Malatji said the case started in 2012 when a confession letter was discovered by the owners of a house in Kenilworth, south of Johannesburg.
“Some months after buying the house, the family was doing routine renovations when they discovered a pile of papers under a carpet. One of the letters began with the words; ‘If you are reading this, then I am dead’,” said Const Malatji.
Const Malatji said the letter stated that the first attempt on Ketana’s life failed.
She was then hospitalised with brain damage and trauma.
“It was also explained how Ketana was kidnapped from the hospital with the help of two policemen’s brothers, and eventually killed. The letter also explained how three other people were kidnapped and tortured in the process,” he said.
Const Malatji said the letter contained names, telephone numbers, ID numbers, addresses and how to find evidence about the crime.
“The letter gives details about secret recordings and torture,” he said.
Const Malatji said a team of detectives, including those from the Yeovile SAPS, followed the case.
He added that a month later, six people, including the author of the letter, were arrested.
This includes the two policemen’s brothers, which includes Mr Ranger.
Constable Malatji said the body of Ketane is yet to be found.
“The owners of the house in Kenilworth revealed that Ketane’s body was buried on the property, but exhumed and buried somewhere else. The suspects named in the letter pointed out where the body was reburied. Some bones, believed to be hers, were discovered in a shallow grave and will be sent to Bosnia for DNA testing,” he said.
Const Malatji said the suspects in the case include police and former police officers from different stations, residents and people in the hospitality industry.
He said the body of Ketane has not been discovered yet and the DNA testing results have not returned.
The case continues.
