TODAY, October 13, marks two years since the murder of Reverend Liezel de Jager, who died in her home in Amanzimtoti.

As the case continues to drag on, someone close to the investigation has revealed that her husband, Werner, might have some information that he is not revealing to the police. Her family has also revealed that they have not heard from the investigating officer in 10 months.

Also read: Beloved reverend murdered, Amanzimtoti community mourns

De Jager was an NG Kerk Suidkus cleric and was killed at the church’s parsonage at Dan Piennar Drive where she lived with her husband and their two children. No one has been arrested for the crime, and the police have continued to snub all questions by the SUN regarding the case.

Ian Cameron, the community safety liaison at Action Society, a civil rights organisation that provides a voice for the voiceless, said he has worked closely with Liezel’s parents in a bid to get the case going. He said trying to get feedback about the case from the police has been extremely frustrating.

“We, and Liezel’s family, reported the case to the national inspectorate of SAPS and have received no feedback yet, and that was at least four months ago. I heard that the inspectorate did visit the Amanzimtoti Police Station weeks ago, but again, no feedback,” said Cameron.

The only feedback that Action Society has received about the case was from their own private investigator who followed up the matter with the SAPS investigating officer and was allegedly assured that the case is still ongoing.

Cameron said DNA evidence taken from Liezel’s body and information on her watch and laptop could have led to a breakthrough.

“Compiling reports on this should be run-of-the-mill police work, but two years later, according to our knowledge, the forensic analysis of Liezel’s laptop, her Garmin wrist watch and a cellphone that was seized, is still not completed. I have heard that the DNA report is complete, but we still don’t know the results or outcome of the report’s findings,” he said.

Liezel was found strangled to death in her yard after she came back from an early morning jog with friends. Her husband, Werner, and their two young daughters were the only people at home. None of her valuables were taken, and after Werner allegedly discovered the body, her wallet, phone and gate keys were next to the body. The gate was also found locked.

Cameron said he knows that Werner might have information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrator/s, but he has failed to show up for several scheduled interviews with the police.

“It obviously stretches out the trauma for the family and brings little or no closure. The frustration is also that it is a very simple murder investigation; I can’t help but wonder whether SAPS either messed it up or are they deliberately dragging their feet?” said Cameron.

In July this year, her friends and family celebrated what would have been Liezel’s 40th birthday.

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