North West Premier Thandi Modise has expressed shock that the incident in which a well-known dog breeder Eric Labuschane was murdered and his 78-year-elderly mother was locked in the bathroom was only discovered after a week.
In condemning the heinous crime and conveying condolences to the Labuschane family, Premier Modise said that the incident highlights the need for farmers to keep in regular contact with each other as part of crime prevention strategy and in support of the rural safety plan.
“An effective communication network with farmers should be maintained by rural safety coordinating structures in order to prevent farm attacks and improve response time in the event attacks occur,” emphasised the Premier who was also concerned that the mother who suffers from Alzheimer's from was found dehydrated and in a state of shock a day after her son’s body was removed from the scene.
“We wish Labuschane’s elderly mother a speedy recovery and pray for her strength to deal with her loss as she mourns the tragic death of her son,” Modise said.
She called on police not to leave any stone unturned until those responsible are behind bars. According to the report, Eric Labuschane who had been renting a four-bedroom house on Olifants Hoek farm, about 23km outside Rustenburg since August last year was allegedly stabbed and bludgeoned with a rock.
Labuschane’s body was discovered after his landlord, Peter Roberts,son of herbalist Margaret Roberts noticed a strong smell and flies and summoned police who broke down the front door to gain access into the house and discover Labuschane’s decomposing body in the main bedroom.
Roberts’s curiosity to enquire on Labuschane whom he had last seen last Wednesday night was drawn by his dogs which were growing thin. Roberts purportedly said that Labuschane was a recluse and he was not worried that he had not seen him or his mother.
North West police spokesperson Colonel Emelda Setlhako said Labuschane had also been strangled and that it did not look like there was forced entry into the house. Setlhako also confirmed that Labuschane had a worker who was also last seen last Wednesday and that a Volkswagen bakkie and two cellphones were missing.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
