Wenakker resident and mother brutally killed in Mbombela
It was suppose to be just a weekend visit to his mother and stepfather at Valley Farms outside Mbombela.
But the visit had a tragic end, as Ruan Brits (36) and his mother, Annemarie Botha (65), were beaten and stabbed to death on Saturday April 22. Brits had been a resident at the Wenakker Home for the Intellectually Disabled for 18 years.
“Our hearts are broken and we still can’t believe that Ruan and his mother were murdered. Everyone at Wenakker was very shocked. He was a resident here for more than half his life. We will miss his laughter, hard work etiquette, friendly chats and loveable nature,” Casius Smit, director of Wenakker, told Steelburger/Lydenburg News.
The attack happened a mere hour after Botha, a teacher, had left a neighbour’s house where she had had cake and coffee. Reports indicate that Botha and Brits were beaten and stabbed at their residence while her husband, Fanie Botha, had been out patrolling the farm as part of his job as a sectional manager. Fanie was on high alert as two separate robberies had occurred on the farm earlier last week. “Faan was doing his late afternoon patrols, as is part of the job, and when he finished he went back to his house,” said another neighbour who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation. “He walked into the bedroom and saw it was in shambles. Everything was everywhere. He knew then and there had been trouble. He started looking and calling for his wife and found both her and Ruan lying in a pool of blood in the lounge.”
He said Faan immediately went to his neighbours as the attackers had allegedly stolen their cell phones and he could not call anyone for help. The police and Hi-Tech were then called out to the scene along with Bossies Community Justice (BCJ) to process the scene. It is believed that the attack had been a robbery gone wrong and some of the stolen items were found in the field between the house and the fence, which had allegedly been cut by the attackers.
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The police, local security organisations and community members arrived at the scene around 18:30 to gather evidence. The mother and son were declared dead on the scene. Brits allegedly died trying to protect his mother as his body had been found draped over her in a protective position.
Jaap Breedt, a family member of the Bothas’ and their spokesperson, said “things can’t go on like this”, referring to farm murders. “We need a plan. I don’t know what, but we need one.”
It seems, however, that law enforcement may have hit a dead end. Despite the massive manhunt launched by SAPS and local security companies, Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Col Donald Mdhluli, confirmed that no arrests have yet been made. The police told the family on the scene that ample fingerprints and other leads had been discovered. The post-mortems on the mother and son started on Monday. BCJ’s Albert Gryvenstein said he had been working on the case, assisting the police and spending his own resources in the hopes of catching the culprits.
Gryvenstein said there was some concern that the double murder had occurred on Saturday and by Tuesday afternoon, no suspects had been identified. “Everyone has been working around the clock on this. We still don’t have anything concrete, but we are hoping that through tireless investigation and work, we will catch a break in this case and apprehend those responsible.”
Extra info: According to a 2019 study done by AfriForum, farm murders in Mpumalanga account for nine per cent of the national total.
The DA in Mpumalanga has said it will keep an eye on the situation to ensure the culprits are brought to justice. “The senseless killing of Botha and her son once again highlights the urgent need for strengthened and visible policing in our rural and farming communities. These communities are at constant risk of violent crimes and brutality.” The FF Plus said in a statement that the ANC government and the police’s action plan to stop farm murders should be judged. “Everything possible should be done to protect the rural community and government is dragging their feet in this regard.” Gryvenstein said the police were working around the clock to bring those accountable to book. An amount of up to R100 000 was offered for information that will help with the investigation. He added that anyone with information regarding the attack, should call him on 082-567-5212.
