Home News Safety warning for NC rural community after ‘barbaric’ Pofadder murder

Safety warning for NC rural community after ‘barbaric’ Pofadder murder

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The body of Northern Cape businessman Leon Brits, the owner of the Pofadder Hotel, was found with multiple stab wounds in the swimming pool at his house

THE RURAL community in the Northern Cape has been warned to be more prepared in terms of safety and security following the murder of a businessman and part-time farmer in Pofadder.

Agri Northern Cape and the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) Northern Cape yesterday condemned the murder of Leon Brits, who was found dead with multiple stab wounds in his swimming pool.

The DA in the Northern Cape has also condemned the brutal murder, while the Freedom Front Plus has asked the community to remain calm.

“We are extremely shocked and disappointed by the barbaric manner in which the part-time farmer and member of Agri Northern Cape was killed,” said Agri Northern Cape spokesperson Joe Scholtz.

“Our condolences go out to his wife, Suretha Brits, and children as well as the entire Brits family.”

The organisation also thanked the police for their prompt action after the murder was reported.

“We urge the police to do everything in their power to work together with organised agriculture to help secure farms and rural communities,” Scholtz said.

“We believe and trust that the police will achieve a breakthrough very quickly by arresting the suspects,” he added.

Scholtz stated that it was worrying that such crimes were on the rise in the Northern Cape and the country.

“With the increase in violent crime occurring nationwide, the rural community is urged to be more prepared around safety and security.”

Scholtz said yesterday that Brits was a part-time farmer, who farmed with livestock, in the Pofadder district.

“He was the owner of the Pofadder Hotel and lived in the town. His body was found in the swimming pool at his house by his wife and she summoned the police. He was already dead.”

The Freedom Front Plus said in a statement: “According to early reports, the incident relates to a labour dispute. The community has been asked to remain calm until it becomes clear what exactly transpired. South Africa currently finds itself in a very volatile situation as the temperature is on the rise due to various cruel murders.’’

The DA constituency head of Kamiesberg, Veronica van Dyk, called for “drastically improved policing”.

Van Dyk said in a statement: “Just like communities across the Province and the country, the DA is fed up with escalating levels of violent crime in South Africa and especially the increasingly vicious attacks on people residing in our rural areas.

“The levels of crime that we are witnessing are simply unthinkable and inhumane. We cannot continue to live in a society where people are tortured to death on a daily basis and nothing is done about it.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa, government leaders and the police must come to the table now. They cannot allow this to continue. They need to act or otherwise be seen as being complicit in the ongoing massacre of people residing in outlying areas.

“We need drastically improved policing to stop the murders. We need more police officers, more resources and more upskilling of our police service. We need this today, not tomorrow or the next day because by then, more lives will have been unnecessarily lost.

“We also need more perpetrators arrested and convicted as a matter of urgency, because otherwise the cycle of crime and the fear will simply continue unabated.

“The killings must end today. People in rural areas also have the right to life and the right to safety and those who have fallen prey to ruthless criminals deserve justice too.’’

The police in Pofadder confirmed that they were investigating a murder and alleged house robbery after the 40-year-old businessman was found dead in his swimming pool at his home in Pofadder.

The discovery was made at about 11.45am on Wednesday morning.

“The deceased was found with several stab wounds in his chest. Although information is still sketchy at this stage, it is alleged that some valuable items were taken from the house,” police spokesperson Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba said.

He added that the police were currently following some leads.

“Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Lieutenant-Colonel David Groenewald on 082 448 4596. No arrests have been at this stage and the investigation continues,” Ramatseba said.

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