On November 27, 2023, Freddie Stapelberg arrived home after work to find the love of his life and her son both dead.
Stapelberg was attacked with an axe upon his arrival; luckily, a suspect was arrested soon thereafter.
Nadine Terblanche was in a relationship with Stapelberg and shared a home with him in Alberton.
Nadine’s son Ruandré was only nine years old when they were murdered. He was a cancer survivor at a young age and the light in his family’s lives.
The accused, Pardon Danhire, a 37-year-old man from Zimbabwe, was the family’s gardener.
He claimed he hadn’t been paid in months, and he murdered Ruandré just because he witnessed his own mother’s murder.
On Netwerk24’s website, there are photos of an emotional Stapelberg outside the home, grieving for his family.
In early January 2024, another suspect was arrested in connection with this murder, none other than Stapelberg himself.
In some of the reports I read that Ruandré wasn’t fond of Stapelberg, and I have to wonder what this boy went through, the fear he must have felt.
In some articles, it was alleged that Stapelberg previously tried to poison Ruandré. He has been charged with attempted murder as well as murder.
The relationship between Nadine and Stapelberg was described in court as tempestuous, and there was talk about financial trouble.
Danhire pleaded guilty to both murders and stated in court that he hacked Nadine with the axe and then smothered Ruandré with a pillow.
Nadine was still alive, and Danhire strangled her until she died.
Danhire also testified that Stapelberg offered him R100 000 to murder his partner and her son.
Last year, Stapelberg received R150 000 from a life policy he had on Nadine.
I wonder when this application for life insurance was submitted, and why only R150 000? If he had paid Danhire the R100 000 for the murder, he would only be left with R50 000.
Then again, I read that he had contacted multiple insurance companies, so, who knows how much Nadine’s life was worth to him.
Stapelberg is yet to be convicted, and we wait patiently for justice for this family.
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