North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa on Monday commended the police for their breakthrough in the investigation of the murder of 60 year old Kleinfontein farmer, Koos Van Staden following the arrest of two suspects, John Silver Kgotleng Mapea(36) and Robert Mike Kgapole (30) over the weekend.
According to MEC Yawa, police have recovered a .38 Special revolver, suspected to be the murder weapon used to kill the 60 years old vegetable farmer from the Brits district last month. Two watches, a Michel Herbelin and a Rolex, including Van Staden’s engraved pocket knife were among some of the items recovered.
The suspects from Mamelodi and Atteridgeville respectively were denied bail when they appeared in the Brits Magistrates court today. The case against the two suspects was reminded to 21 April 2010 for a formal bail application.
Van Staden was allegedly shot through his bedroom door while he was trying to prevent his assailant/s from entering his bedroom at around 12h30 on the morning of Saturday, 20 March 2010. Van Staden was allegedly shot moments after he had screamed to his wife to get his gun .The couple were had woken by an alarm.
Both of the couple’s dogs had been poisoned. One was found dead, while the second one survived.
Van Staden was declared dead on arrival at the local hospital after he was rushed there. His wife was unhurt.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele (Departmental Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: (018)381 9123
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
