The Democratic Alliance in the Northern Cape has condemned the murder of Leon Brits (40), a well-known Pofadder hotelier who was found knifed and strangled to death at his home on the morning of Wednesday, October 7.
“The levels of crime that we are witnessing are simply unthinkable and inhumane,” said a statement by Veronica van Dyk, the DA Constituency Head of Kamiesberg.
“We cannot continue to live in a society where people are tortured to death on a daily basis and nothing is done about it.”
Pofadder police are ‘following leads’ after Brits’ body was found in his swimming pool at about 11.45am on Wednesday, according to a SAPS statement.
“The deceased was found with several stab wounds in his chest,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba. “Although information is still sketchy at this stage, it is alleged that some valuable items were allegedly taken from the house.”
According to reports, the incident may be related to a labour dispute. Brits reportedly told his brother that some of his staff were pilfering from the hotel kitchen, according to News24.
A family friend, Riaan Oberholzer, told Afrikaans news outlets Netwerk24 and Maroela Media, that the deceased’s wife, Suretha, discovered his body after he returned home to help one of his staff.
According to reports, Suretha was helping Leon with administrative tasks at the hotel when he received a phone call from an employee who was busy at his home.
The employee in question allegedly asked if he could move the dogs so that the house could be cleaned. Leon then went to the house, which is not far from the hotel. When he did not return and Suretha could not contact him via cellphone, she went to the house to look for him and discovered his body in the pool, according to Oberholzer.
Although details are still unclear, Oberholzer says that it appears that Leon was strangled with a dog chain and stabbed before his body was dragged to the pool.
Wynand Boshoff, the Northern Cape’s FF Plus leader, released a statement saying that the murder has shocked the ‘mostly peaceful’ region and called on the community to remain calm until it becomes clear what exactly transpired.
“In general, the carefree nature of the area and the friendliness of its people are some of the region’s greatest assets,” said Boshoff.
“Only time will tell whether this gruesome incident has destroyed this for good.”
Picture: Pexels
