The investigation into the murder of 50-year-old Vredenberg Court magistrate, Romay Van Rooyen has captured the public’s attention over the last few weeks with an 18-year-old man arrested on Wednesday for her murder.
The teen was set to make his first appearance at the Simon’s Town Magistrates court on Thursday, but in a shocking twist, the young man is said to be her nephew. He was reportedly a pallbearer at her funeral just days ago.
Hundreds of mourners had filled Lentegeur New Apostolic church in Mitchells Plain with the suspect being one of many to pay his respects.
Van Rooyen’s body was found by family at her house in Marina da Gama earlier this month, reports EWN.
A two-week investigation led by Hawks detectives found the suspect at his Mitchells Plain home on Tuesday.
According to Police Minister Bheki Cele, Van Rooyen is believed to have passed away due to a lack of oxygen caused by suffocation, as per News24.
Cele indicated that they had a “very strong case” against the accused with a few “other things” linking the teen to the murder.
There were initial fears that she had been murdered due to her work, but her family insisted that she had no reservations regarding the dangers of her work.
According to her family, her valuables were left untouched when her father, Roman, discovered her lifeless body in her bedroom two weeks ago. Reports state that he had grown worried after family members could not reach her.
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A teenage boy faces charges for the killing of magistrate Romay van Rooyen
Picture: Twitter
