‘I’d personally like to know why he did it’
Daughter, aged 2 when her father was murdered, now 25, speaks out.
The daughter of a man whose murderer escaped prison and avoided the authorities for 23 years finally spoke out.
I was two-years-old when my father was murdered. It attracted a lot of media attention back then and wrecked havoc on my whole family especially my mother,” Tanyane Daku said.
Daku’s father, Pat Magadze, was murdered in 1993 by Samson Lemeko who was on the run for 23 years for Pat’s murder as well as kidnapping, hijacking and escaping a prison.
On 14 December, 2015 Samson Lemeko was traced, found and rearrested in the Honeydew area. It is believed that Lemeko went under a pseudonym for all these years and it has further been alleged he changed his name officially. These allegations are currently still being investigated.
Lt Col Kruger and Warrant Officer Le Roux from Randfontein Detectives, Captain van den Heever, Warrant Officer Bornman from the Trio Task team and reservist, Constable Bell from Honeydew were involved in the tracing and arresting of Lemeko,” said Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson.
After the arrest, Lemeko was immediately transported to Johannesburg Prison to start serving his 12 year sentence. He will now face his additional charges as well.
Lieutenant Colonel Gert Kruger was the initial investigating officer for Magadze’s murder and kidnapping when he was still stationed in Soweto. Ernst said Kruger made it his mission to bring Lemeko to justice.
Daku, now 25 said living without a father was emotionally straining because she always had a void.
I was depressed when I found out at 21 how he died. Members of my family went through trauma because his body was found about a month later. My mum is relieved and believes in the ‘long arm of the law.”
She added, “I’d personally like to know why he did it.”
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 413 8726.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
Also read:
Escaped convict back in jail after 23 years
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
