Nearly 5 years on and no closer to #JusticeforBen

IN the 1976 novel, ‘An Orphan’s Tale’ by Jay Neugeboren, there is an excerpt so profound that it has become a popular reference for consoling those who have suffered the unimaginable loss of a child.

“A wife who loses a husband is called a widow. A husband who loses a wife is called a widower. A child who loses his parents is called an orphan. There is no word for a parent who loses a child. That’s how awful the loss is…”

On December 21, 2013, Ben van der Westhuizen’s parents suffered this unthinkable fate when their son was murdered under seemingly suspicious circumstances.

On the date of his death, Ben left his home shortly after 7pm. He never told his mother where he was going, but assured her that he wouldn’t be gone long. He left on the motorcycle and that was the last time Erina van der Westhuizen saw her son alive.

Ben was only 24-years-old when his lifeless body was discovered in a field close to the Farmers’ Hall near Bhekuzulu.

While the initial speculation was that Ben had been involved in a bike accident, this was ruled out when it was noted that there had been no damage to the motorcycle that Ben had been riding.

Upon closer inspection, the cause of death was established to be severe head trauma, caused by a blow to the back of the head, with a blunt object. Further investigation revealed that Ben had most likely been murdered elsewhere and his body dumped, along with the motorcycle, at the spot where it had been discovered.

Ben’s helmet, his wallet, which was in all likelihood empty, according to his bereaved mother, Erina, his cellphone and his bike keys were missing from the scene. His cellphone was later traced to a cellphone repair shop by a private investigator.

ALSO READ: More assault cases in Vryheid than ever before

Nearly five years later, the Van der Westhuizen family, who reported that they were unhappy with the way the scene was handled by police, is still left with more questions than answers.

To lose one’s child is an unimaginable horror, but to lose that child under such obscure circumstances is even worse. Without a sense of closure, how does one endure the torment of the endless grief that comes with not knowing?

In 2015, following a desperate appeal by the Van der Westhuizen family to the Minister of Police as well as the Provincial Commissioner, a reward of R30 000 was offered for information leading to the successful arrest and conviction of Ben’s killers.

ALSO READ: Former Vryheid High learner among the four shot dead in Nquthu

The case was handed over to Warrant Officer Madonsela at the Pietermaritzburg branch of the SAPS, who confirms that not one person came forward with information, despite their efforts and the docket was eventually sent back to Vryheid SAPS in early 2017.

Captain Attie Engelbrecht, well-known in Vryheid for his tireless efforts in apprehending the suspects responsible for the Van Rooyen farm massacre, a trial that is presently underway, has acknowledged receipt of the docket and is looking into the mysterious unsolved murder of Ben van der Westhuizen.

If you can assist Captain Engelbrecht in his pursuit of justice for Ben and the Van der Westhuizen family, contact him on 082 417 6905.