UPDATE – 26 March 1.15pm: Pretorius nabbed on farm in Belfast
BETHAL – Mr Francois Pretorius, the jeweller who was arrested today in connection with the murders of Dr Hannes and Ms Ibel Beukes, was nabbed on the farm of his father-in-law, mnr. Ernst van der Berg.
Mr Van der Berg is a farmer in Belfast.
Ridge Times’ sister newspaper, The Middelburg Observer, reported this morning that Mr Van der Berg informed the paper that he handed over his son-in-law to the police.
He told the Middelburg Observer that Mr Pretorius does not want a trial and said he will take his punishment.
“He asked me to raise his children,” said Mr Van der Berg.
According to Mr Van den Berg, Mr Pretorius appeared in front of a magistrate in Bethal this morning.
Mr Pretorius apparently left his vehicle in Hatfield, Pretoria, and for three days walked along the N4 to the farm at Belfast.
“Francois was hunted like an animal. He is crying all the time, especially about his children,” Mr Van der Berg told the Middelburg Observer .
Mr Francois Pretorius was arrested today, 26 March, in connection with the murder of the Beukes couple from Bethal.
Breaking News: 26 March 12pm: Bethal murder suspect arrested
The Bethal Police have confirmed that Mr Francois Pretorius has been arrested today.
He is connected to the double murder a week ago in Bethal.
Dr Hannes and Ms Ibel Beukes were murdered last Wednesday.
Their bodies were discovered in the boot of their car in the veld near Bethal Dam.
No further information regarding the arrest is available.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/158647/beukes-couple-killed-suspects-house-farm-outside-bethal/
