EVANDER – Almost a year after Mr Mervin van Heerden was murdered at the back of the Karmer Butchery in Evander, the case against the two people accused of being complicit in his death, has been temporarily removed from the court roll.
Ms Karin van Heerden, who was the ex-wife and business partner, and Mr Darello Soetmelk, a butchery employee, heard in the Evander Regional Court on Monday, 22 July, that the case was provisionally removed from the court roll.
Dr Annelie Steyn, senior prosecutor, said there is still a lot outstanding in police investigation. Once the investigation is completed, the case will be placed back on the roll.
Although the police discovered the murder scene on the night of 2 August last year, the body was only found three days later when Mr Soetmelk took the police to the site where the body was dumped.
Evander cops solve case of missing butcher – Murder mystery unfolds
Mr Van Heerden’s body was stuffed down a steal pipe in a remote area between Secunda and Evander and set alight.
A special police task team arrested Ms Van Heerden and Mr Soetmelk on 4 August last year.
The magistrate at the time released Ms Van Heerden and Mr Soetmelk on a warning respectively for accessory after the fact and concealing a crime.
The man suspected of murdering Mr Van Heerden was also an employee. He fled to Lesotho after the murder.
The police now first have to complete their investigation, which might still take years to finalise, before the case can be place back on the roll.
[UPDATE] Evander businessman missing – Two suspects arrested
