Prosecutor reviews 2023 Rabie Ridge death docket
The clock has been ticking for almost three years, but the investigation into the death of Rabie Ridge resident Francis ‘Twiggy’ van der Merwe remains without an identified suspect or arrest.
The murder docket into the death of Francis ‘Twiggy’ van der Merwe has reached the desk of a senior public prosecutor, but nearly three years since the incident, no suspect has been identified or arrested.
Ekurhuleni Police district spokesperson Captain Nelda Sekgobela said detectives pursued the murder investigation but were unable to identify a suspect linked to Van der Merwe’s death.
“The docket was sent to the senior public prosecutor last year for a decision, and the family was updated physically and telephonically,” said Sekgobela.
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She said investigators had conducted enquiries in the area and used informers, but these efforts had not produced information that could lead to an arrest. Sekgobela added that a person suspected by the family was investigated but not linked to the case.
The development comes as Van der Merwe’s family continues to seek clarity over her death, which occurred on December 16, 2023. Her body was discovered at her Rabie Ridge home, with the family alleging that she had been murdered. A case was opened at Rabie Ridge Police Station and assigned to Detective Sergeant Unice Mushwana.
For Van der Merwe’s three daughters, three grandchildren, family, residents and her sister, pastor Kate Nkosi, the wait for answers has added to their grief. “Losing Twiggy has been extremely painful for our family,” said Nkosi.
“It has been almost three years, but the pain has not gone away. We have had to continue with our lives while carrying the loss of someone who was deeply loved by our family. It is especially difficult because we have not received the answers or justice we have been waiting for.
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“We have not been given sufficient information to publicly identify or discuss any suspects or persons of interest. We do not want to speculate or accuse anyone without evidence. What we want is for the investigation to be properly pursued and for SAPS to provide the family with a clear update.”
Community leader George Henry, who has continued to raise concerns about the case, said the passage of time should not mean the matter was forgotten. “A case should not disappear simply because time has passed. We must continue saying, ‘Twiggy has not been forgotten, her family has not been forgotten, and the call for answers must continue’,” said Henry.
The community has repeatedly used gender-based violence (GBV) awareness activities to keep Van der Merwe’s case in the public eye. In September, Rabie Ridge residents marched against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and for answers in Van der Merwe’s case, while the community has also previously handed a memorandum of demands to the police calling for attention to the prolonged investigation.
The continued calls for accountability come amid South Africa’s broader efforts to strengthen its response to GBVF. Regarding the current status of the case, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) communications officer Magaboke Mohlatlole said she was still awaiting an update from the prosecutor and would revert once the information was received.
By the time of going to print, the NPA had not provided a response yet. The authority’s comment will be published once received.
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