Joost’s brother’s case still under investigation despite reports recently that the case was closed

The case to establish if the brother of former legendary rugby player, Joost van der Westhuizen, acted lawfully when he shot two alleged robbers at a church, is still being investigated.

This is despite earlier reports that stated that police had closed the investigation of the July 2020 Wierdapark shooting.

Pieter van der Westhuizen killed two men who allegedly gained access into the church, pointed a gun at the pastor, and fired shots while the church was in progress.

One alleged robber is believed to have fled the scene.

Van der Westhuizen’s lawyer, Ulrich Roux, said the misunderstanding about the case being closed stemmed from a message his client received on Tuesday from Wierdabrug police station.

“The message stated that the case was closed and that all leads had been followed up,” Roux said.

“I then contacted the investigation officer and he confirmed that the case had been closed and archived.

“Then we received another message on Thursday that said the investigation was still being conducted.”

Roux said when he contacted the police again to find out what was happening, he was told that there must have been something wrong with the police station’s messaging system, and the case was still being investigated.

He told Rekord that he met up with the provincial commissioner who informed him that police were waiting for ballistics and post mortem reports.

“We know that the men were shot by my client and how they died. That is not in question,” he said.

“What police should be determining is whether he acted lawfully when he shot at the robbers. And they would have to determine whether it was self-defence.”

Roux said the most crucial evidence should be statements given by numerous eye-witnesses as well as Van der Westhuizen himself.

He said they would continue to assist the police as best as they could in order to finalise the investigation.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said police had noted a media report suggesting the closure of the inquest docket that was opened alongside a business robbery case.

“The police hereby wish to confirm that both these cases in reference are still open and under investigation,” she said.

“An internal investigation is underway to establish how the legal representative of the congregant who is reported to have shot the alleged robbers, was allegedly informed by Wierdabrug police that his client had been cleared.”

Speaking to Rekord, Van der Westhuizen, a former police officer, said he was hopeful that everything would work out.

He said the shooting of the two men inside a church saddened him, but it was his instinct to protect the people who were inside the church.

“I was in the police service for a while and the need to protect others has always been a thing in me,” he said.

“But it saddens me that it happened inside the church. Those are people that God had created.”

“They made a decision that cost them their lives, but it’s not like one can shoot and just go on.”