WATCH: Alberton community mourns death of mom and son
The Community of Alberton came together on December 1 for an hour of remembrance and mourning for the late Nadine and Ruandré.
Albertonians have endured a sorrowful and grim week following the tragic murders of Loretta Nadine Terblanche (32) and Ruandré Vorster (9).
Their bodies were discovered on November 27. According to a source, they were just getting ready to go to Ruandré’s prize-giving ceremony.
Freddie Stapelberg, life partner of Nadine, returned home from work to a gruesome scene, discovering his partner and nine-year-old son murdered, allegedly by their 37-year-old gardener Pardon Danhire in Langenhoven Street, Randhart.
“It is reported when Stapelberg arrived at home at 18:05, he was attacked by the gardener, who was carrying an axe,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo from the Gauteng police.
He was able to alert CPS Security with his panic button, who responded swiftly and apprehended the suspect.
“I found them in their rooms with bruises and injuries on their bodies. It looked like they were strangled,” said Freddie.
Both victims were declared dead on the scene. Police arrested the Danhire and charged him with two counts of murder.
According to Masondo, the motive for the killings cannot be confirmed yet.
Heartbroken and devastated
Freddie and Nadine shared a long history before moving in together in June 2022. Their blended family comprised Freedie’s three daughters and Nadine’s son and daughter.
At the time of the tragic incident, the four daughters were still at aftercare.
In a tearful interview, Freddie expressed his profound heartbreak, apologising to Nadine for the unimaginable tragedy. He described feeling torn apart as if his life had been abruptly taken from him.
Describing Nadine as ‘one in a million’, Freddie painted a picture of her as a spontaneous, kind-hearted individual, moulded by the love of her mother and grandmother. He referred to her as his ‘wonder woman’.
“Nadine was the love of my life.”
Turning his attention to Ruandré, Freddie characterised him as a source of pride and joy. “I never had my own son until he walked into my life. Ruandré is the son I always wanted, a son any father would be proud of,” he said.
“Ruandré was very special, his heart was big. There is so much I will miss about him.
“I will always remember the TV games, the rugby we played together, the cricket we played together, the drone we flew together and how he laughed at me for having trouble flying the drone. My boy, I am missing you so dearly.”
Court appearance
The murder accused appeared in the District Criminal Court at Palmridge Magistrate’s Court on November 30.
In a recent court appearance, Pardon Danhire, the 37-year-old accused in the double murder case of Nadine Terblanche (32) and her son Ruandré Vorster (9) appeared in the District Criminal Court at Palmridge Magistrate Court on November 30. pic.twitter.com/MFcPyEGf8v
— Alberton Record (@RecordAlberton) November 30, 2023
Dressed in denim and a black and light white jacket, Danhire declared that he did not want anyone to defend him and he did not wish to be released on bail and consequently abandoned his bail application.
The case has been postponed to January 3, 2024, for further investigation. The accused remains in custody as the legal process unfolds. According to Freddie the accused worked for the family for a couple of years and he also lived with the family.
A community coming together
Ruandré was a Grade Three learner at Laerskool Randhart. The school expressed their condolences on November 28 on their Facebook page, stating, “The Rantie family would like to express their condolences to the Vorster and Terblanche families. Our deepest condolences at this sad time. #rest in peace.”
Alberton community mourns death of mom and son pic.twitter.com/TU8vqZXwYR
— Alberton Record (@RecordAlberton) December 4, 2023
They also put up a big cross with a photo of Ruandré in memory of him at the school. Flowers and soft toys were placed by residents as symbols of remembrance and support during this difficult time.
The Community of Alberton came together on December 1 for an hour of remembrance and mourning for the late Nadine and Ruandré. A big drive-by was held from Laerskool Randhart to the family’s house in Langehoven where residents had the chance to pay their respects by lighting a candle.
