Vryheid Task Team goes more than the extra mile for justice
"At the end of the day," reflects Lt Col du Plessis, "it's not only about solving a case, but also about building a relationship with the victims and helping them to find closure for what has happened to them and the terrible trauma that many of them have endured..."
TWO of three career criminals, Arone Feijao Moiane (38) and Jaulane Feijao Moiane (27), Mozambican illegal immigrants with a flair for murder and robbery, have been taken off the streets and put away for life, thanks to our very own Organised Crime Task Team here in Vryheid.
As a result of what has been described by Col Thembeka Mbele of the South African Police Service (SAPS) as “outstanding work”, the task team, under the command of Lt Col JT ‘Dupie’ du Plessis, managed to present “a well investigated docket to the court, based on quality investigation work,” she states.
Vryheid’s Organised Crime Task Team, who were also behind the swift execution and delivery of justice upon those responsible for the murder of Danie Swanepoel in November 2017, is comprised of seven members, led by Lt Col du Plessis, and their job is certainly no walk in the park.
Also read: BREAKING NEWS: Another Vryheid farmer slain – two apprehended in #VryheidFarmAttack
Also read: UPDATE: Suspected farm attackers make first court appearance in Danie Swanepoel murder case
Also read: Danie’s killers in #VryheidFarmAttack sentenced in High Court
They attend to what some may describe as cold cases – cases that may have never been solved without the intervention of those willing to go a little bit further than just the proverbial extra mile for justice. And that’s just what this team does, all across the province.
Also read: Two arrested in connection with 2015 Hluhluwe farm attack on Terry Rizzato
On July 4, 2017, the team were called in to take over an investigation where six firearms were recovered in the Emanguzi area as complaints were lodged at the provincial office that not enough attention had been given to the existing case. Lt Col du Plessis and his team were tasked to take over the matter.
Piecing together the evidence and, with thorough and meticulous investigation, the team managed to link the firearms to nine cases from the Emanguzi, KwaDukuza, Umhlali and Impendle areas, where the accused had maliciously targeted lodges, guesthouses, wedding venues and other accommodation facilities, robbing their victims at gunpoint, dating as far back as November 2016.
Once the investigation was completed, the case was transferred to the High Court at Mtunzini and, from January 28 to March 1 of this year, the two killers faced the consequences of their actions and were subsequently sentenced for their heinous crimes, including the brutal murder of 51-year-old Marius Deysel on January 28, 2017 at the Maroupi wedding venue in Umhlali on the North Coast.
“The accused, Arone Feijao Moiane and Jaulane Feijao Moiane were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment each for six counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and five years imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearms. The second accused was also sentenced to five years imprisonment for each count of assault on police, attempted escaping from lawful custody and attempted robbery. He was sentenced for only five counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and acquitted on the sixth one,” states the media release issued by SAPS. A third suspect is still at large.
“At the end of the day,” reflects Lt Col du Plessis, “it’s not only about solving a case, but also about building a relationship with the victims and helping them to find closure for what has happened to them and the terrible trauma that many of them have endured…”
“Some of the victims that we work with suffer greatly after these ordeals,” he explains. “The best medication is to testify… Talking about the ordeal and helping to put the criminals away offers some closure and a release from the terror that remains with some of the victims long after the crime has taken place.”
Edith Cunningham, life partner and business partner of the deceased Marius Deysel, writes, “We can not begin to think of all the hours that have gone into this work and all the work that has gone into these hours… days….weeks…months. There are dedicated people out there doing their best. Thank you…”
Well known Private Investigator, Brad Nathanson, also played a pivotal role in tracking down the suspects and, according to a post on social media, pertaining to the murder case against the accused, writes, “This office, and Brad Nathanson especially, wishes to commend the professional and expedient investigative skills of the highly dedicated Lt. Colonel Du Plessis and his staff of SAPS Vryheid. Bravo Sir.”
