SECUNDA – A 32-year-old man appeared in the Secunda Magistrate’s Court today, 25 April in connection with the murder of Ms Corrienne Tesner (62) from Secunda.
She was found murdered in her garden flat in Hodgson Street on 23 February.
He was officially arrested and charged yesterday.
The suspect was initially apprehended by a homeowner, members of the public and StratconRisk in connection with a burglary in Ext 22 on 11 April.
Stratcon handed him over to the police at the police station that night.
He appeared in the Secunda Magistrate’s Court the next day on a burglary charge.
This case was postoned to 25 April for further investigation.
The breakthrough in the murder investigation came when members of the Secunda Detectives went to confirm the suspect’s address.
According to Capt Bettina Zondo, spokesman for the Secunda Police, they discovered the address he gave to the police was the same as an address that was being pointed out during the investigation of Ms Tesner’s stolen cell phone.
The police went to the address in question and found the DVD player that had been stolen during the murder and alleged rape of Mrs Tesner.
Capt Zondo said the suspect was questioned and he confessed to raping and murdering Tesner.
“He also confessed to stealing her vehicle.
“He informed the police that after committing his crime, he went home and told his brother.
“Both of them went to Limpopo to sell the car,” said Capt Zondo.
The police followed the lead and went to a certain scrapyard in Limpopo where they were informed as to who bought the car.
The car was eventually found abondoned in Limpopo.
Ms Tesner’s cell phone was found in a certain shop in Witbank where the suspect had allegedly sold it.
“He informed the police that his motive was housebreaking, thinking that there was no one in the room. “He decided to stab and rape the elderly woman, because she fought him,” said Capt Zondo.
While the suspect is being charged with murder, rape and theft of a motor vehicle, his brother (36) is facing a charge of theft of a motor vehicle.
The court granted the brother bail of R1 000.
He must again appear in the dock with murder suspect on 6 May when the main accused aims to apply for bail.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/133383/daughter-finds-moms-body-hours-after-murder/
