The brutal murders of a father and son, Fanie and Dawie Fourie, at their home in a quiet suburb of Virginia has left an entire community reeling in shock and anger.
Despite the notoriety of this murder and allegations of an inside job, the police have still not apprehended those responsible, and the vehicle has not been traced.
A message on a Vanderbijlpark WhatsApp group stated that a resident had seen the vehicle in Rebecca Street, Lasiandra Plots, Vanderbijlpark.
The resident also wrote that there were five men in the vehicle. The same resident then saw the same vehicle in Three Rivers at the Spar.
On Facebook messages of shock and anger at the brutality of this murder are evident, and people have engaged in hefty debates about public safety and the levels of violent crime in South Africa.
Elza Kemp wrote: “How does one describe the disbelief, shock, and sorrow upon hearing of this inhumane act? They were my older sister’s son, Fanie, and grandson, Dawie. Will our lives ever be the same again? Elize, he was your older brother. May our Father comfort you. Rest in peace, Fanie and Dawie.”
The Free State Provincial Murder and Robbery unit has launched an intensive investigation into the slaying.
The police are also investigating a house robbery after the victims’ vehicle was reported missing.
Purportedly, officers of the Virginia police responded to a report of a possible murder in Tulbagh Street on Thursday 30 July. Upon arrival, they were directed to an outside room where they discovered the bodies of two men, aged 40 and 68.
The victims were found with their hands and feet bound. Blood was found on the floor of the room. The police said one of the men had a plastic covering over his head, while the other had allegedly been strangled with a wire around his neck.
Both men were declared dead at the scene.
Preliminary information indicates that neighbours and members of a private security company raised the alarm after the father and son were reported missing on Monday 27 July. A search of the property led to the outside room, where the gruesome discovery was made before the police were summoned.
Investigators have also confirmed that the victims’ silver Hyundai Getz, bearing registration DNK 369 FS, is missing and is believed to have been taken during the incident.
The police have opened two murder cases and a case of house robbery. The motive for the killings remains unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation.
The Free State Provincial Murder and Robbery unit is appealing to anyone with information that could assist in tracing the suspect or suspects to come forward.
Capt. Gerrie Nel can be contacted on 082 806 8432. Anonymous information may also be provided via the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111 or through the My SAPS app.
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