Brakpan police are appealing to members of the public to help track down a man sought in connection with the murder of a Sonneveld woman.
The 62-year-old was fatally stabbed during a house robbery at her home on October 9.
Brakpan SAPS Sector 1 manager and corporate communication officer Constable Audrey Buthelezi explained members of the local crime prevention unit were on duty when they discovered an abandoned white BMW in Sallies Village.
“Upon further investigation, they noticed blood stains inside the vehicle and car keys inside. Sergeant Tuka Gavade then requested a registration check and obtained the residential address of the owner of the BMW, which was in Sonneveld,” she said.
Gavade made efforts to get in touch with the owner by requesting a CPF member who lives in Sonneveld to visit the address.
“The CPF member had no luck at the address but was able to obtain the contact number of the man staying there. The man was contacted, and he cited that he was in Cape Town, but his wife was at home,” she said.
“The man then arranged for his sister to go to the house to check on her. She was able to open the house, and found the lifeless body of her brother’s wife.
“The deceased’s husband told police that their safe has a camera system that is connected to his cellphone. The police viewed the camera footage, and it was also shown to the house helper, who positively identified one of the two men seen on the footage as a gardener at the home, who is a Zimbabwean national.”
After receiving information that the man resides in Kwa-Thema, Brakpan police, security companies and other law enforcement stakeholders proceeded to the address.
“The shack was opened with the landlord’s permission, but the man was not found,” said Buthelezi.
“The shack was searched and SAPS members discovered two firearms, both magazines loaded with ammunition, with both serial numbers clearly visible. SAPS members further discovered two empty jewellery boxes.
“The jewellery boxes and firearms found inside the shack were positively confirmed as property of the deceased and her husband.
“Jewellery worth thousands is missing from the house.”
A case of murder was registered at the Brakpan Police Station, and a warrant for the man’s arrest has been issued.
