22 July 2007
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs Mtholephi
Mthimkhulu (MPL) has commended the South African Police Service for the
sterling detective work which led to the swift arrest of two suspects in
connection with the Friday night murder of an elderly farming of Swartberg
between Kokstad and Underberg in southern KwaZulu-Natal.
Mthimkhulu said the dedication demonstrated by the police in solving the
double murder had yielded results in a short space from the time of the
commission of the heinous crime.
The deceased Raymond (78)and Yvonne (79) Fitch, were accosted by
unidentified assailants on Friday night at their Two Springs farm in the
Swartberg area. They were both beaten and stabbed to death. The couple was
involved in cattle, sheep and maize farming in the Swartberg District of East
Griqualand. The assailants also took the couple's vehicle which was later found
abandoned in Matatiele.
KwaZulu-Natal police reported on Sunday that two men had been arrested for
the murder of the Fitchs.
Superintendent Zandra Hechter said two men, aged 19 and 20, were arrested
near Swartberg in the early hours of Sunday. Police said they expected more
arrests later in the day or in the evening.
"We welcome the breakthrough in the investigation of this crime and we hope
that the arrests will once again restore faith and confidence in our criminal
justice system and reassure all and sundry that it works," said MEC
Mthimkhulu.
The MEC further appealed to community members in the area who may have
information that could lead to the apprehension of the other suspects to
immediately avail such information to the police.
For enquiries please contact:
Mbulelo Baloyi
Cell: 082 415 7277
Issued by: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
22 July 2007
