Wonderboom reeling from killing
Employee talks about the man accused of Anita Cassell's murder.
Corlia Kruger
The people of Wonderboom were on Friday still reeling from the murder of Samaritan Anita Cassell in her own home.
News of her death on Monday came as a great shock to family, friends and all who knew the Cassells.
Cassell had given the man charged with her murder accommodation in the past. He also worked as a waiter for a while at Panarotti’s in Montana, where Cassell’s son Danie is a manager.
Johan Visser (34) and his girlfriend Anesia de Kok (27) appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with the killing.
Visser is facing charges ranging from murder, assault, and house and business robbery. De Kok was charged with the possession of suspected stolen goods.
De Kok was released on R2 000 bail. Visser remained in custody until his next court appearance on 16 September.
Cassell was stabbed to death early on Monday. Her son was wounded by the attacker, who then fled the house.
One of the other managers at Panarotti’s, Nicky Harmse, said: “When I heard Johan was involved, I just couldn’t believe it.”
Harmse said Visser was not the first employee to be offered residence at Cassell’s house. “They are like a family to us. I myself stayed with Danie and his mom for a while.”
Visser allegedly took the keys to the family restaurant as he fled the murder scene. Murder was apparently not the only thing on his agenda as he made his way to the Kolonnade and to the restaurant.
At around 06:30, security cameras caught Visser near the restaurant. “He was hiding behind one of the pillars from the security guards inside the mall,” Harmse said.
The restaurant’s alarm went off, apparently after Visser gained entrance. Visser was said to have taken money and hurried off to where his girlfriend was allegedly waiting for him in the parking lot outside.
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Harmse said it was strange to think that Visser was now accused of these crimes.
“He was the spontaneous guy who made jokes and was loved by the customers. We were actually training him for casual management in the time he was here with us.”
Harmse said Visser disappeared two weeks before Cassell’s murder. “He wasn’t at home and no one saw him at work.”
“We discovered he was using drugs, specifically CAT, and he even confessed he had a problem. We offered him help and took him to the Sinoville Crises Centre,” said Harmse.
“Danie, I think, suspected that something had changed in Johan’s behaviour. Extra security measures were installed at the restaurant. And as it turned out, he was right to be suspicious.”
Employees and friends were grieving over the Cassell family’s loss.
“She was always the one helping out here in the restaurant. Don’t know what Danie will do without her,” Harmse said.
Also read:
Cassell’s alleged murderer in court
Elderly woman’s alleged murderer arrested
Worker stabs elderly woman to death
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