THE year is nearly over, and such the Northglen News editorial team got together to review the most memorable events of 2018.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was one of the positive highlights of the year – and not surprisingly one of Google’s top searches.
On a more local front one of the most shocking moments of the year was when former president Jacob Zuma resigned on 14 February. The nation was glued to their television sets in anticipation of his announcement. Some celebrated his decision and others mourned his departure.
The conclusion of the #VanBreda murders was also something that we will carry with us for many, many years. Henri van Breda’s cold and apathetic nature during his murder trial was disconcerting to say the least. On 7 June he was sentenced to three life sentences for the murder of three of his family members (mother, Theresa, father, Martin and brother, Rudi), 15 years for the attempted murder of his sister (Marli), and one year for obstructing the course of justice.
As a nation we were left shocked and outraged as the brutal murder cases of little #CourtneyPieters and Stellenbosch University student, #HannahCornelius unfolded. Video footage released in the two cases sent chills down our spine. Life sentences were handed down in both cases.
On 27 January in 2015 Henri attacked his family with an axe at their De Zalze Estate home in Stellenbosch. The motive behind the brutal killing remains a frustrating mystery, but up until his conviction he maintained that a hooded intruder was responsible for the massacre.
Closer to home, the murder of Durban woman, Siam Lee also rocked the nation. Her image went viral when she disappeared on 4 January, with various neighbourhood watches, private security and members of the public assisting in the search.
Tragically, her body was found a week later, burned beyond recognition, in a sugarcane field in New Hanover (DNA tests would later confirmed her death).
A few days later an Assagay man was arrested by private investigator, Brad Nathanson and his team.
After spending five months behind bars – with 11 postmonements in the case – the accused was finally granted bail in June. He is expected back in court next year.
Shock and outrage swept across the community after the Burman Bush fatal stabbing. These emotions later turned to sorrow when the victim was identified as musician, Simon Milliken.
The tragic accident that claimed the life of twenty-two-year old actress, Owethu Enhle Gambushe also made headlines this year. Two of the five occupants were killed when the vehicle crashed into a wall near John Zikhali (Sydenham) and Botanic Gardens Roads. The second fatality, also a woman remains anonymous.
In some good news, Durban celebrated the efforts of an ADT security officer that arrested two suspects in the course two months.
