A guilty verdict brings relief to victims’ family

"...To the prosecutor who believed in us and our case, and to the victim's family, who had faith in us and remained strong and patient throughout, as we worked towards this outcome. We thank the community for believing in us, as well as the media for their support and for bringing this story to the community."

July 18, 2019

Vryheid Herald 1 minute read

Investigating Officer, Captain Attie Engelbrecht shares an emotional moment with Billy's sister, Elaine Jansen van Rensburg, Billy's mother, Tokkie van Rooyen and Billy's widow, Karlien van Rooyen, as they are presented with a handcrafted gift by Ria Lourens, commemorating the loss of their beloved.

It has been roughly three years in the making, but justice has finally been served in the van Rooyen murder trial.

Members of the community were visibly elated, after the hefty sentence was handed down.

After the six accused of the double murder of Billy van Rooyen and Ronnie Lombard in 2016, were found guilty last week, a collective sigh of relief went out as justice was served, and it was stated ‘the police got their guys’.

The Tactical Response Team stands by as a Correctional Services warden arrives, to escort the accused to their cells.

During sentencing, Judge, Louis Barnard stated: “One often hears complaints from the public, that authorities and police do little to combat farm attacks. This case is proof otherwise. Captain [Attie] Engelbrecht and his team worked tirelessly.”

As the investigating officer in the van Rooyen farm attack case, Cpt Engelbrecht explained while it was no walk in the park, success in the trial proceedings was made possible by the hard work of so many people, especially those behind the scenes.

Investigating officer, Captain Attie Engelbrecht leaves the court after the verdict is delivered.

This included members of his team, and their respective wives and families, who put in countless hours to make sure the perpetrators were brought to book. Cpt Engelbrecht expressed gratitude, “…To the prosecutor who believed in us and our case, and to the victim’s family, who had faith in us and remained strong and patient throughout, as we worked towards this outcome. We thank the community for believing in us, as well as the media for their support and for bringing this story to the community.”

SAPS officials hand over paperwork to Captain Attie Engelbrecht, after the convicted killers of Billy van Rooyen and Ronnie Lombard prepare to face life behind bars.

Advocate, André Ludick, Prosecutor for the State, shared his views on crime with the Vryheid Herald, as the van Rooyen case wrapped up with the killers likely to remain behind bars for good.

“Farm attacks are a tremendous scourge on the fabric of society,” he stated vehemently. “In fact, not just farm attacks, but crime in general, throughout our country. It has to stop. The criminal element will cause a breakdown of society, and threatens to destroy the very structure of humanity.”