The Kimberley police have offered a cash reward to anyone who can provide information that can lead to the whereabouts of a person of interest who may be able to provide information in connection with the murder and kidnapping of Danyal van Niekerk.
THE KIMBERLEY police have offered a cash reward to anyone who can provide information that can lead to the whereabouts of a person of interest who may be able to provide information in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Danyal van Niekerk.
Van Niekerk, 40, is believed to have met unknown men for a business meeting in Samaria Road on June 18, at around 4pm.
His body was found in the veld by a passer-by on June 21, after the police had found his red Opel Corsa bakkie abandoned in the veld near Samaria Road on June 20, at about 9pm.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock requested anyone with information about the man pictured in the above identikit to please contact Detective Colonel Corrie Coghlan on 061 686 0020 or Detective Sergeant Kagisho Thys on 082 469 2064 or Detective Constable Tshiamo Mokwena on 071 686 1182.
“Alternatively, information can be forwarded anonymously on the MySAPS app or on the line 08600 1011.
“All information will be treated with the strictest of confidence. The investigation continues,” Kock added.
A family friend of the victim, Aslam Mxolisi Tawana, said Moulana Danyal van Niekerk was the eldest of two siblings.
“He was born in Kimberley and was the son of Aslam and Dooriyah van Niekerk. He completed his matric at Kimberley Boys’ High and studied a Bachelor of Commerce degree with accounting as a major subject at the University of the Free State. During his final year, he quit his studies and went to Darul Uloom Newcastle in Kwa-Zulu Natal to train as an Alim (Muslim theologian) and graduated there after six years,” said Tawana.
He added that upon completing his studies, Van Niekerk returned to Kimberley and become a member of the Northern Cape Ulama Council (the council of Muslim theologians), an affiliate of the United Ulama Council of South Africa.
“He was a keen sports person and participated in soccer and archery. He recently completed his archery instructors’ course and involved many youths in his sports activities to keep them away from gangsterism and drugs.”
Tawana urged the law enforcement agents to hunt down those responsible for the murder. “Van Niekerk is survived by his mother, wife, younger sister and five children.”
