Local journalist Charné Kemp’s true crime book ’Moord op Pofadder’ is already on the best seller’s list on Amazon Kindle after it was released last week.
LOCAL journalist and author Charné Kemp’s true crime book “Moord op Pofadder” is already on the best seller’s list on Amazon Kindle after it was released last week.
The book is based on the murder of Leon Brits whose body was found in the swimming pool at his house in Pofadder on October 7, 2020.
He was strangled with a dog chain, while he also sustained several stab wounds.
Several valuables including firearms, a cellphone, Krugerrands, polished diamonds and cash were taken from the premises during the incident.
The hired killers – Amantle Bareki, 25, and Enrich Williams, 35 – were sentenced to life imprisonment in February.
During the trial, an accused, Jacques van Vuuren, who turned state witness, testified that Suretha Brits had tasked him to identify hitmen who were prepared to kill her husband.
Van Vuuren is currently serving a 25-year sentence that was suspended for five years.
Suretha Brits, 31, entered into a plea and sentence agreement where she confessed to hiring hitmen to carry out the murder, where items were stolen during a staged robbery.
She told the court that her husband was abusive and sexually demanding and had also forced her to abort their twins when she fell pregnant at the age of 15.
Suretha claimed that her deceased husband had threatened to take everything from her, including her children, where he also threatened to kill her and himself if she tried to divorce him.
Kemp explained that she was drawn to writing the book as Suretha’s story was so unique and intriguing.
“I also wanted to tell the story about the victim, Leon Brits,” says Kemp.
“This was the sensational story of a black widow. It is fascinating as it is a female hiring contract murderers. My contacts in Boesmanland informed me that there was something very suspicious regarding the way that he was killed. There were also stories about diamonds, money and Krugerrands.
“I found the murder very strange, seeing that violent murders in that part of the country, even farm murders, are rare. Most of the crimes committed in the area are usually linked to joblessness, addiction and alcohol-related offences.”
Kemp added that similar to the Griekwastad murders, where an under-aged boy was convicted of the murders of Deon, Christel and Marthella Steenkamp, the Pofadder murder also involved a close-knit family where the victim was close to the perpetrator.
“Suretha also denied being behind the killing. My book contains exclusive revelations that were never published in the media.
“I conducted interviews with close friends and family members about incidents that occurred before the murder, after it happened as well as what transpired during the funeral service.
“The book reveals the content of phone calls that were made by Suretha to family members as well as her efforts to conceal that she was behind the murder. I encourage people to read the book to discover what had happened behind the façade.”
Kemp says it took her roughly a year to research and write the book.
“I spent many hours and weekends in front of my computer to complete the book. I was burning the midnight oil so that the book could be published while the story was still fresh.
“Initially it was more academic as I did extensive research on contract killings. My 30 000 word manuscript was deleted as we decided that it was going to be Suretha and Leon’s story. You will not find the presence of a journalist in the book as it is written as a truthful story with real characters who were very traumatised by these experiences. The story is told from their perspective.”
She pointed out that while she had reached out to Suretha for input on the book, she had not responded.
“The book details her testimony in court as well as her plea agreement. According to her version, her husband threatened her and was abusive towards her. The reader can make assumptions on the motive of the murder from other characters in the book. It is a complex situation where there are many layers and factors that led to the killing.”
Kemp stated that Leon and Suretha’s marriage was “on the rocks”.
“Leon wanted to save the marriage while Suretha was intent on a divorce. She claimed that murder was the only way out as he was threatening her.
“The book also captures the indigenous language and colloquial dialect of the people living in the Boesmanland area that makes it rather colourful.”
