Gay murderers sentenced

Three suspects who were arrested for murder of an openly gay Orange Grove resident Barney van Heerden in 2011, were sentenced at the Palm Ridge Court.

Two of the suspects were sentenced to 30 years each and the other received 20 years. The suspects aged between 19 and 22 had been arrested by the Norwood Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, following an intensive investigation.

Van Heerden’s naked and bound body was discovered by security guards after they noticed his gate had been left open.

Norwood police spokesperson Nonzwakazi Tsoanyane urged community members to exercise extreme caution when inviting strangers to their apartments. Van Heerden had been allegedly strangled and there was no sign of forced entry in his home.