The police, however, are pursuing an active murder investigation after the newly released post-mortem report concluded that Mr Van der Ahee died due to homicide. According to the report, he died due to injuries consistent with a savage assault.

Mr Van der Ahee was attacked by the brother of a Hermansdal employee, as well as a “Brian” he identified on a cell phone video taken by him after the assault.
Both the men’s true identities are known to the Middelburg Observer but they cannot be identified as they have not been charged.

According to Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, no suspects have been identified, despite Mr Van der Ahee identifying them.

Witnesses the Middelburg Observer spoke to after the assault, said that the alleged attackers visited them after the assault, during which they observed blood on their clothes and furniture after the alleged attackers left.

Mr Van der Ahee’s ponytail, which was sliced off with a steak knife, was also displayed on a table, witnesses say.

According to the police, there were no witnesses to the alleged assault and they are currently awaiting further instructions from senior state prosecutors.