DA appeals to SAPS to stop Loeriesfontein killing spree before another life is lost
5 April 2024
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has requested the Northern Cape Police Commissioner to send a senior team to Loeriesfontein to help end the brutal killing spree in this once peaceful, platteland town. This comes after the slaying of two victims in a space of less than three weeks.
On Good Friday, the body of 17-year old Mariena Beukes was found on the premises of the town’s sports facility. Just two weeks earlier, the body of Hannah Gous was found on the erf of a home where she had previously visited. Gous was the mother of a friend of Mariena. Both bodies are alleged to have similarly vicious injuries, including to the neck area.
The murders have terrified the locals, prompting taverns to close early and people to get off the street and lock-up before darkness.
A community watch was launched on the Saturday, following Mariena’s death, to try and bring back a semblance of safety to the area.
I joined in with the patrol on Wednesday night, along with approximately 70 residents, who combed the streets from 10pm until 7am. I had the opportunity to talk with the participants, many of whom are single women. They say they feel safer staying up all night, patrolling the streets in groups, than being home alone. When they don’t patrol, they arrange sleepovers to avoid being by themselves at night.
Their sense of fear was palpable and was heightened when a couple of reports came through that someone was banging on people’s doors. We inspected the yards but couldn’t find anyone there.
Worryingly, the same can be said for the police investigation, which has failed to yield any substantial evidence, leads, suspects and arrests.
With the killer, or killers, still believed to be living amongst the community, everyone is wondering who will be next.
There is a growing feeling of dissatisfaction with the police with many wondering why they did not: send in the dog unit when the murders were still fresh; cordon off both murder scenes to avoid contamination of evidence; and report back to the community in respect of the forensic investigation.
People are also not happy that SAPS failed to send a senior police team to address the community. Violent killings in the Hantam region have become too familiar. On 31 December 2023, the naked body of 18-year-old Hesty-Anne Green was found under rubble at a dilapidated building in Brandvlei. In 2022, the naked and ravaged body of a 31-year old woman was discarded in a shallow grave covered with rocks, on the outskirts of Calvinia.
The DA continues to monitor the above cases. Cllr Kathy Klazen and DAWN members attended yesterday’s bail hearing of Shuphren Ouers, who was previously arrested for Green’s murder, at the Calvinia Magistrates Court. He was released on R2000 bail and has been instructed to stay away from Brandvlei.
I have also written to Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen KC Otola, requesting an urgent intervention in the Loeriesfontein killings, including sending a senior team of detectives and a criminal profiler to the town.
No one else must die before SAPS gives the necessary attention to solving the murders and restoring a sense of security within the traumatized Loeriesfontein community.
Statement issued by Gizella Opperman, MP - DA Northern Cape Constituency Head for Hantam-Karoo Hoogland, 5 April 2024
