GQEBERHA – The trio accused of murdering Gqeberha businessman Daniel de Jager briefly appeared in the Gqeberha High Court on 12 May, where the court heard that the matter would once again be postponed until 22 May for further consultations.
The 65-year-old businessman was murdered at his Newton Park home on 30 October 2025.
According to police reports regarding the evening of the murder, the incident occurred at approximately 02:20 in Mangold Street when four suspects allegedly broke into the property while De Jager and his partner, Estelle le Grange (57), were asleep.
Reports stated that the house in Mangold Street was invaded by four suspects who stole property while the couple slept.
According to the reports, Le Grange stated that they heard loud noises inside the house. While in the passage, she was allegedly confronted by the four intruders, who restrained her with cable ties, covered her head with a pillowcase and gagged her. The suspects then allegedly ransacked the house before fleeing with a laptop and De Jager’s vehicle, a Nissan Juke.
Police reports further stated that after freeing herself, Le Grange discovered that her life partner was unresponsive and had been stabbed to death.
Following the incident, De Jager’s vehicle was later recovered in Central by police.
READ MORE HERE: Suspects back in court for murder of Gqberha businessman
De Jager and Le Grange reportedly resided on the same property as tenants, Anke Cilliers and Leeroy Scholtz (36).
Court papers stated that Le Grange allegedly asked Scholtz on several occasions to have De Jager murdered.
The papers further alleged that on the evening of 29 October, Le Grange, Cilliers and Scholtz met in the room occupied by the tenants to plan the murder.
Le Grange allegedly instructed that her boyfriend should be strangled and stabbed, and that the incident should be made to look like a robbery. She further allegedly instructed that the deceased’s vehicle, jewellery and wallet should be taken. It was also allegedly agreed that Le Grange would leave the house keys on the windowsill to enable accused two and accused three to gain entry.
According to the court papers, Cilliers and Scholtz then entered the bedroom where De Jager was sleeping, where Scholtz allegedly struck him multiple times on the head with a hammer.
Following the murder, Le Grange allegedly provided the duo with De Jager’s bank cards, pin numbers and his Nissan vehicle.
The trio were all arrested on 30 October 2025.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects face three charges:
Count 1 – Conspiracy to commit murder, where they allegedly unlawfully and intentionally conspired with one another to aid, procure or commit the offence.
Count 2 – Murder, where they allegedly wrongfully and intentionally killed De Jager by suffocating him and striking him with a hammer or similar instrument. The State further alleges that the murder was premeditated.
Count 3 – Robbery with aggravating circumstances, where they allegedly committed robbery in an aggravating manner.
The trio remain in custody.
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