KARIEGA – A second suspect linked to a series of murders and disappearances in Kariega indicated that she would abandon her bail application when she made her first appearance in the Kariega Magistrate’s Court today, 3 July.

Appearing in a packed courtroom, Irvincia Basson made her first appearance on Schedule 6 charges of murder. Throughout the proceedings, she maintained a blank expression and did not look towards the public gallery.

The court heard that Basson has a pending extortion case in which she had previously elected to abandon her bail application. She indicated that she intended to do the same in the present matter, with the State opposing bail. The court further heard that, although she had previously been represented by a private attorney, she had now elected to be represented by Legal Aid South Africa.

According to the charge sheet, Basson is linked to the disappearances and alleged murders of Earl Classen during July 2021, Isaac Moses and Merlyn Elkenstead on 18 April 2022, and Loay Khayat during August 2025.

The charge sheet states that the means by which Khayat and Classen were allegedly murdered are unknown. However, Moses and Elkenstead were allegedly shot with a firearm.

In a SAPS statement, police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said, “The investigation also forms part of the broader probe into the disappearance of Quinton Plaatjies, also known as ‘Doenas’, who was reported missing at Bethelsdorp SAPS in 2020.”

UD Express previously reported that Donovan Williams, also known as ‘Poenie’, was arrested in June 2026 after allegedly evading police since October 2025. At the time, SAPS said he was wanted in connection with the kidnapping of a foreign national and was also linked to investigations into murder, kidnapping, fraud and the disappearances of Khayat and Plaatjies.

Speaking to UD Express after the proceedings, Khayat’s wife, Allison, said, “I am the type of person who will make sure you are brought to justice for touching my family.

“She [Basson] knows she’s much safer in prison and she can’t face the people of Kariega now. No one will be scared of her anymore; her days are over,” Allison said.

The matter was postponed for further investigation. Basson remains in custody and will reappear alongside her co-accused, Donovan Williams, on 17 July for the joining of all cases and further investigation.

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