{"id":47477,"date":"2022-10-19T16:49:42","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T14:49:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T20:58:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T18:58:04","slug":"young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/","title":{"rendered":"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The murder of a young man sent shockwaves through Kroonstad when he was murdered in cold blood for his cell phone and wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wesley Marais (23) was on his way home after a night out with friends in Kroonstad in the early hours of Saturday morning when he was attacked, robbed, and murdered in front of his home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marais lived with friends, Neels and Jean-Marie Cornelissen in Thesenstraat Kroonstad. The Cornelissen\u2019s heard Marais shouting for help at the gate and immediately rushed to help him and realized that he was stabbed. They called the authorities, while trying to stop the bleeding after Marais was stabbed with a knife, but he died in Cornelissen\u2019s arms. Cornelissen and Marais were friends for 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2015 Marais worked at two well\u2013known tyre companies in town and his mother, Nicolene Kotz\u00e9, described him as a happy-go-lucky guy who was always friendly and was comfortable in any company. Kotz\u00e9 says, Marais liked to gym and played pool and he was known for riding his bicycle all over town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today the family had to identify his body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> His funeral will be this Friday at 11:00 at the Dutch Reformed Church Kroonheuwel-Noord. Rev. Pieter Mohr van Niekerk will conduct the service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Marais leaves behind his mother, Nicolene Kotz\u00e9, stepfather Mac Kotz\u00e9, father Marius Marais, stepmother Rina Marais, brothers Quintin Marais (20) and Christiaan Kotz\u00e9 (7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The police confirmed that a complaint of murder is being investigated and that no one has yet been arrested in connection with the murder. At least three people were killed in three separate robberies in Kroonstad in September this year. VrystaatKroon earlier reported that people were attacked in two of the robberies by a gang who demanded mobile phones and money from their victims. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The murder of a young man sent shockwaves through Kroonstad when he was murdered in cold blood for his cell phone and wallet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":47479,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_eb_attr":"","_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"089a9102-e59a-48f6-9e11-43ee9e0c2faf","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"Madli Grobbelaar","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-47477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet | VrystaatKroon<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The murder of a young man sent shockwaves through Kroonstad when he was murdered in cold blood for his cell phone and wallet.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"VrystaatKroon\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VrystaatKroon\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-10-19T14:49:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-20T18:58:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"890\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Madli Grobbelaar\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"VrystaatKroon\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"VrystaatKroon\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/af0bc4af343108ce64e4c8a69001202f\"},\"headline\":\"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-10-19T14:49:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-20T18:58:04+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":300,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2022\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/\",\"name\":\"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet | VrystaatKroon\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-10-19T14:49:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-20T18:58:04+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg\",\"width\":720,\"height\":890,\"caption\":\"The late Wesley Marais (23) was brutally murdered for his cell phone and wallet this weekend in Kroonstad. Photo : Supplied\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/\",\"name\":\"VrystaatKroon\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"VrystaatKroon\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/vrystaad-kroon-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/vrystaad-kroon-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"VrystaatKroon\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/VrystaatKroon\\\/\"],\"description\":\"VrystaatKroon is a local community newspaper serving the Eastern and Northern Free State regions of South Africa. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, and issues affecting the community. The newspaper aims to keep residents informed and connected, fostering a sense of unity and engagement in the area. VrystaatKroon has loyal readers who look forward to receiving the newspaper in their mailboxes twice a month on a Wednesday \u2013 free of charge. is a local community newspaper serving the Eastern and Northern Free State regions of South Africa. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, and issues affecting the community. The newspaper aims to keep residents informed and connected, fostering a sense of unity and engagement in the area.\",\"email\":\"vrystaatkroon@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"+27514047600\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/af0bc4af343108ce64e4c8a69001202f\",\"name\":\"VrystaatKroon\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"VrystaatKroon\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/author\\\/vrystaatkroon\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet | VrystaatKroon","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet","og_description":"The murder of a young man sent shockwaves through Kroonstad when he was murdered in cold blood for his cell phone and wallet.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/","og_site_name":"VrystaatKroon","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VrystaatKroon\/","article_published_time":"2022-10-19T14:49:42+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-20T18:58:04+00:00","og_image":[{"width":720,"height":890,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Madli Grobbelaar","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"VrystaatKroon","Est. reading time":"1 minute"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/"},"author":{"name":"VrystaatKroon","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#\/schema\/person\/af0bc4af343108ce64e4c8a69001202f"},"headline":"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet","datePublished":"2022-10-19T14:49:42+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-20T18:58:04+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/"},"wordCount":300,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2022","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/","name":"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet | VrystaatKroon","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg","datePublished":"2022-10-19T14:49:42+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-20T18:58:04+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg","width":720,"height":890,"caption":"The late Wesley Marais (23) was brutally murdered for his cell phone and wallet this weekend in Kroonstad. Photo : Supplied"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/","name":"VrystaatKroon","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#organization","name":"VrystaatKroon","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/vrystaad-kroon-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/vrystaad-kroon-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"VrystaatKroon"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VrystaatKroon\/"],"description":"VrystaatKroon is a local community newspaper serving the Eastern and Northern Free State regions of South Africa. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, and issues affecting the community. The newspaper aims to keep residents informed and connected, fostering a sense of unity and engagement in the area. VrystaatKroon has loyal readers who look forward to receiving the newspaper in their mailboxes twice a month on a Wednesday \u2013 free of charge. is a local community newspaper serving the Eastern and Northern Free State regions of South Africa. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, and issues affecting the community. The newspaper aims to keep residents informed and connected, fostering a sense of unity and engagement in the area.","email":"vrystaatkroon@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"+27514047600","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/#\/schema\/person\/af0bc4af343108ce64e4c8a69001202f","name":"VrystaatKroon","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/db8d32fe3b8afd81fe8a56f2569041900de6ac3ca727d9318273beb22736cb10?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"VrystaatKroon"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/author\/vrystaatkroon\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f5efbfc2e66841818cd64377eb987164.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":47480,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/young-man-from-kroonstad-murdered-for-cell-phone-and-wallet-20221019-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":47477,"position":0},"title":"Young man from Kroonstad murdered for cell phone and wallet","author":"VrystaatKroon","date":"19 October 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The murder of a young man sent shockwaves through Kroonstad when he was murdered in cold blood for his cell phone and wallet.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/57e20b1698094f5abb15b186b7881584.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/57e20b1698094f5abb15b186b7881584.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/57e20b1698094f5abb15b186b7881584.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/57e20b1698094f5abb15b186b7881584.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47465,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/jong-man-onthou-20221025-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":47477,"position":1},"title":"Jong man onthou","author":"VrystaatKroon","date":"26 October 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u2019n Verdagte in die moordsaak van die 23-jarige Wesley Marais, wat koelbloedig in Kroonstad vermoor is, se saak word in die landdroshof in di\u00e9 dorp aangehoor.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/696e5994b91242a3949698f5df163524.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/696e5994b91242a3949698f5df163524.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/696e5994b91242a3949698f5df163524.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/696e5994b91242a3949698f5df163524.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":264830,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/former-policeman-sentenced-to-15-years-for-1987-anti-apartheid-activist-murder\/","url_meta":{"origin":47477,"position":2},"title":"Former policeman sentenced to 15 years for 1987 anti-apartheid activist murder","author":"Novus Media","date":"10 July 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"he Pretoria High Court delivered a historic 15-year prison sentence today (10 July) to former policeman Johan Marais, for the 1987 murder of anti-apartheid activist Caiphus Nyoka.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A former policeman, Johan Marias (66), has been sent to jail for 15 years for the murder of an anti-apartheid activist, 30 years ago.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/apartheid-murder.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/apartheid-murder.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/apartheid-murder.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/apartheid-murder.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/apartheid-murder.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":267805,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/pick-n-pay-family-kroonstad-launches-competition-to-boost-local-education\/","url_meta":{"origin":47477,"position":3},"title":"Pick n Pay Family Kroonstad launches competition to boost local education","author":"VrystaatKroon","date":"29 October 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From 1 November to 31 January, all schools in Kroonstad will have the opportunity to compete for a prize of R50 000 in cash.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Lee Marais en Stephan van der Westhuizen van Pick n Pay Family Kroonstad.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Lee-Marais-hoofbemarker-en-Stephan-van-der-Westhuizen-Pick-n-Pay-Kroonstad.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Lee-Marais-hoofbemarker-en-Stephan-van-der-Westhuizen-Pick-n-Pay-Kroonstad.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Lee-Marais-hoofbemarker-en-Stephan-van-der-Westhuizen-Pick-n-Pay-Kroonstad.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Lee-Marais-hoofbemarker-en-Stephan-van-der-Westhuizen-Pick-n-Pay-Kroonstad.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Lee-Marais-hoofbemarker-en-Stephan-van-der-Westhuizen-Pick-n-Pay-Kroonstad.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44254,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/sangers-die-volle-pakket-20240827-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":47477,"position":4},"title":"Sangers die volle pakket","author":"VrystaatKroon","date":"28 August 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Vanjaar sal heelwat bekende kunstenaars \u2019n draai op die Ignite and Revive-familiefees se verhoog maak, met Carma en Charl Marais as die seremoniemeesters.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/89caa72a92524f33853f260b5b379fc4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/89caa72a92524f33853f260b5b379fc4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/89caa72a92524f33853f260b5b379fc4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/89caa72a92524f33853f260b5b379fc4.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/89caa72a92524f33853f260b5b379fc4.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/89caa72a92524f33853f260b5b379fc4.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":296312,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/call-of-duty-answered-to-give-kroonstad-a-new-lease-of-life\/","url_meta":{"origin":47477,"position":5},"title":"Call of duty answered to give Kroonstad a new lease of life","author":"VrystaatKroon","date":"26 March 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Business and faith leaders of Kroonstad have united in what is widely regarded as a turning point for local renewal in this Free State town.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/the-word-kroonstad-written-in-flowing-text-black-on-white.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/the-word-kroonstad-written-in-flowing-text-black-on-white.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/the-word-kroonstad-written-in-flowing-text-black-on-white.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/the-word-kroonstad-written-in-flowing-text-black-on-white.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"VrystaatKroon","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47477","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47477"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47477\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47477"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=47477"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=47477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}