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20120408

Triple-slaughter of Steenkamp farm-family shakes N-Cape

Deon 44, Christelle 43 and Marthella Steenkamp 14, murdered on Griekwastad farm: distraught son Don, 15, storms into police-station, weeping ‘they are all dead’…

Since 1987, there have been twenty farm-attacks in the sparsely-populated, arid North Cape province: --  farmitracker

Rapport journalist Jacques Steenkamp writes on Aprll 7 2012 that fifteen-year-old farm-boy Don Steenkamp was covered in his 14-year-old sister’s blood – she had died in his arms – when the badly traumatised youth, dressed only in rugby-shorts, stormed into the Griekwastad police station on Friday-night, shouting hysterically: ‘You must come. They are shot. They are all dead.’ The Afrikaans youngster, dressed only in his rugby-shorts, is a grade-ten pupil at Grey college in Bloemfontein. 

Steenkamp Deon murdered farmer North cape April 6 2012 Steenkamp Marthella 14 vermoord op Griekwastad boerderij met ouders April6 2012

Above left: His father Deon, 44, mom Christelle, 43 and sister Marthella, 14 (above right)  were attacked inside their homestead, watching the Afrikaans TV programma Sewende Laan, and shot dead. The SAPS spokesman Lt-col Hendrik Swart issued an oddly-guarded statement, saying that ‘in this stage no suspects have been identified’.

Mr Deon Steenkamp owned several farms with small livestock in the arid region and also was the local manager of the farmers’ union Agri-SA. His wife Christelle was an independent business-woman: owner of cookie-factory Scrumptilicious which sold its stock to supermarkets.

The first notification that his family had been murdered came from Grey College, which tweeted a message of condolance, asking people to pray for the sole survivor of the massacre.

The three Steenkamps were attacked inside their homestead, watching the Afrikaans TV programma Sewende Laan, and were shot dead. Don had busied himself in the barn outside the homestead. He went back at around 16h00 and found his family, covered in blood. His sister died in his arms, he told police. SAPS spokesman Lt-col Hendrik Swart issued a very odd statement, saying that ‘in this stage no suspects have been identified’.

The youngster had been busy in the barn on the family farm Naauwhoek on Friday. The journalist notes that ‘it is not known whether he’d heard the shots: the badly traumatised youngster told police he came across his family at around 18h00.

Local restaurant manager Ms HenriĆ«tte Truter, said she was on the porch of the Proviant Restaurant in Griekwastad on Friday around 18h45 when a double-cabbed white bakkie stopped in front of the police station. “I immediately saw there was big trouble. The youngster got out and was dressed only in his black rugby-shorts and looked very traumatised,’ she said. “I fixed a glass of sugar-water and walked over there to find out if I could help.’

STEENKAMP Don 15 found his murdered parents and sisters Griekwastad farm Apr62012She said after Don Steenkamp (left, emerging from polic station the next day)  had told the police-officers that his family was shot, he got up again, ran from the police-station, went to the bakkie, fetched a .22 rifle and a .357 magnum-revolver from it -- and handed these to the police on duty. “He told them that he had picked up those firearms at the farm-gate, spotting them when he drove through from the homestead to go to the police station.”

Mrs Truther was also quoted by Rapport as saying: “While I was giving him the water to drink, he was busy washing blood from his leg, telling her ‘Tannie (Auntie), this is my sister’s blood. She died in my arms.’

Mrs Truter then took Don to her restaurant and gave him her jacket to keep himself warm with. The entire time he asked ‘What am I going to do. How can I go on?” she said. “He said his father taught him everything.’ Mrs Truter said the SAPS was assembling on the street within 15 minutes wearing bullet-proof vests and drove off to the farm. An hour later a helicopter was flying overhead and many police officers also arrived from Kimberley to help search for the attackers.

Family member Christo Boshoff said he was deeply shocked. “The children often had sleepovers with us and our families regularly visited back and forth. They were a normal, happy and very close-knit family,’ said Boshoff.

On Friday-night, Don Steenkamp was taken to the house of his father’s newphew Andries Steenkamp to spent the night and on Saturday-afternoon he spent two hours at the police station, being questioned. Afterwards, the traumatised youngster emerged with reddened eyes and tearstained face and was hugged by family and friends, all waiting for him.

“We don’t know if anything was stolen,’ said police officer Swart. “The only person who would be able to tell is the boy and he has not yet returned to the farm.” Swart also said he couldn’t recall the last time there had been a farm-attack in the North Cape.

The news spread like wildfire on social networks after Grey College sent out their tweet. Mr Steenkamp, an accomplished horseman, was a leading member of his farming community, owning several farms in the very arid region. His wife ran a successful business enterprise called Scrumptilicious – which sells cookies to supermarkets. Marthella was a grade-9 pupil at the Afrikaans Girls High High Oranje in Bloemfontein. It’s not known how many workers were left unemployed and homeless by this triple-farm murder. 

http://www.rapport.co.za/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Seun-op-sy-kniee-Hul-is-almal-dood-20120407

 

Disabled farmer Des Hart, 70, of Ohrigstad,  has died from stabbing injuries during a farm attack, April 7 2012
The next day, disabled farmer Des Hart, 70, of Ohrigstad in the Lowveldt  – who used crutches to get around -- was attacked by a group of black males. They kicked his legs from beneath him so that he fell down, and then stabbed him.
There seemed to be no motive for attacking the unarmed, disabled old Afrikaner man. Details are still awaited.

http://www.boerentrepreneur.com/farmitracker/reports/view/2496

Since January 2006, there have been eight farm attacks in the sparsely populated, arid Northern Cape…. also other crimes of violence such as the following:

 Seventeen sheep die of fright from livestock rustling, Griekwastad, North Cape

Griekwastad sheep die of fright during livestock rustling July 31 2010 NC18 Oct 2010 - GRIEKWASTAD, North Cape. Seventeen rustled sheep which had been trussed up and dumped on their backs inside a small squatter-shed, had died of fright, said Kimberley police. The SAPS discovered the dead animals during raids on a squatter-hut in Roodepan Kimberley - and found the sheep tied up together inside the hut, lying on their backs. Only two of the sheep had survived the cruel ordeal.  Picture: Jana Engelbrecht, Volksblad.

http://www.volksblad.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Veediewe-se-wreedheid-eis-17-skape-20100802

Three Afrikaner farmers, Joseph le Grange, son Pieter and friend Hendrik van der Westhuizen of Prieska, had an unfair trial, the supreme court of appeal ruled, because of the prejudice of anti-Afrikaner judge Frans Kgomo -- who had sent Joseph le Grange to prison for 26 years for murder…

Bloemfontein, South Africa. - Sept. 18 2008 -- The Supreme Court of Appeal agreed with three Afrikaner men, Joseph le Grange, son Pieter and a friend Hendrik van der Westhuizen of Prieska, that they did not have a fair trial because of what was described by the court as 'the anti-Afrikaner, racially-prejudiced Northern Cape Judge-president Frans Kgomo. " Joseph le Grange was found guilty of murdering a 13-year-old Prieska youth in March 2004 and the other two as accessories. The boy was accused of stealing. The Supreme Court of Appeals ruled that the court proceedings against the three men were 'invalid' and that the convictions and sentences imposed on them could not stand. The SCA also ruled that the men should be retried - but that this time, Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo was not allowed to preside over the matter. Judge Nathan Ponnan said in the judgment that when 'taken cumulatively, I have no doubt that ... the learned judge-president was not fair and impartial during the trial'. The found that Kgomo ... “ showed a clear personal prejudice against the Afrikaner defendants. Kgomo had sentenced Le Grange senior to 24 years in prison, while the other two were sent to prison for six and five years respectively. The Afrikaner men were released from prison, the SCA set aside the convictions and sentences and remitted the matter to the Kimberley High Court, ordering that proceedings in respect of the same offence may again be instituted. They found that during the trial an application for Kgomo's recusal had been launched by these defendants - and had been refused. "He (Kgomo) sought, it would seem, from time to time to expedite the hearing of the matter by virtually taking over the prosecution from counsel for the State," the judgment read. However, the SCA found that in doing that it appeared that judge president Kgomo had 'at times overlooked the judge's usual role in a trial and had associated himself too closely with the conduct of the case.

' http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2395637,00.html

Unidentified 56-year-old Afrikaner man, kidnapped: hogtied, dumped in Barkly West NC veldt:
2010-08-02 Volksblad journalist Jana Engelbrecht reported that an unidentified Afrikaner man was found tied up and dumped in the veldt just outside Kimberley.He was kidnapped by three armed black males on Friday-night, said SAPS constable Sergio Kock.The man was kidnapped from his Newpark home by men wearing balaclavas. They forced him at gunpoint into his car, a silver-grey VW poli 2006  BTRR664NC.They pulled a bag over his head, drove him to a bank, forced him to give them his pin-code, withdrew cash from his bank account, and then tied him up before dumping him in a remote site on Barkley West farm.He was lucky: he was discovered by a pedestrian at 7am the next morning. 
http://www.volksblad.com/Suid-Afrika/nuus/man-le-nag-in-veld-vasgebind-20100802

Xhoi-San Afrikaans-speaking farm woman Let Hanekam gruesomely mutilated, stabbed 52 times: throat cut and her hair torched : picture of protesting community, Sutherland, below:

Afrikaansspeaking KhoiSan community in Northern Cape protesting against psycho killer of Mrs Let Hanekam 41 Jan202012

above: farm Gunsfontein, Sutherland, North Cape 2012-01-20 http://www.farmitracker.com/reports/view/2256

Douglas Simpson of Barkly West, North Cape found dead: father-in-law Peet Theron 72 is missing: possibly kidnapped:

SAPS claim “Douglas Simpson committed suicide after the disappearance of Theron”- yet they cannot find his mortal remains: he’s still reported ‘missing’ :  2012-01-13 http://www.farmitracker.com/reports/view/2244

Only whites carry out racist crimes – racism behind many crimes: ‘ Anti-white-racism charge against Adv Menzi Simelane by SA Institute for Race Relations to Human Rights Commission for anti-white Sunday Times remarks 4 Sept: http://bit.ly/oIjGsg
A charge of anti-white-racism was lodged against Adv Menzi Simelane by Frans Cronje of the SA Institute for Race Relations against the SA Human Rights Commission for his Sunday Times of Johannesburg remarks on 4 September 2011. Simelane claimed that only whites carried out 'racist crimes in whcih racism continues to be an important factor' and that 'racism was behind many crimes'. He said 'the majority of criminals are whites'. Cronje said he 'was not aware that any race-related crime-statistics were being maintained in South Africa.It is not possible for Advocate Simelane to make such claims. “Simelane's statement are not based on facts, yet many people will summise that Simelane 's claims are factual. Such public statements can incite racial hatred in South Africa. ' or his SunTimes remarks on 4 Sept: Smelane claimed that 'only whites carried out crimes in which  racism continues to be an important factor' and that 'racism was behind many crimes'; also that 'the courts was full of them (whites charged with racist crimes). “The majority of criminals are whites', according to Simelane.

Cronje said he 'was not aware that any race-related crime-statistics were being maintained in South Africa at all. SAPS.gov.za ‘s crime statistics are not recorded in racial categories. It is therefore not possible for Advocate Simelane to make such claims. Simelane's statement are not based on facts, yet many people will summise that Simelane 's claims are factual. Such public statements can incite racial hatred in South Africa. 'http://bit.ly/oIjGsg

Tonie Swanepoel, 59, engineer, was stabbed to death in a farm attack, Ritchie, North Cape Sept 9 2011: - 2011-09-09 Mr Tonie Swanepoel, 59, a retired resident of Ritchie in the North cape, was found  murdered inside his freezer after a tip-off to the Modderrivier- police. The tip-off was received by phone at 3am and police immediately went to Mr Swanepoel's house. They found the body stuffed in the freezer. Apparently his killers had thrown the frozen meat out of it - and after killing him had cooked and eaten his food. Swanepoel had stab wounds in the chest and back.

Robbery did not seem to be the primary motive as his handgun was found discarded in the veld near his homestead. SAPS capt Tony Modise said three suspects were arrested in two local homes;  only a cellphone and housekeys belonging to Mr Swanepoel were found in their possession. Swanepoel had lived on the smallholding on Eerste Laan for the past 12 years. He's a retired engineer and raised vegetables on his plot together with Mr Chrisjan Rossouw.  Neighbours rescued his three traumatised dogs on Friday after the little animals were reportedly thrown with rocks.
http://www.volksblad.com/NoordKaap/Nuus/Man-doodgesteek-lyk-toe-in-vrieskas-gesit-20110909 

Other murder news:

Six black males on trial from May 3 2012: charged with murdering Norwegian/SA farmer Fred Jorgenson 3 Sept 2011 and brutalising his wife Tokkie, Port Shepstone farm Louisiana.

JORGENSON Fred murdered Nv 3 2011 farm Louisiana Port Shepstone KZN TRIAL 3 MAY 2012

The trial of six of the ten black males who stabbed to death Port Shepstone farmer Fred Jorgenson, 62 in a frenzied attack on 3 September 2011 will start on May 3 2012 in KZN. Case Nr 55/2011.  His wife Tokkie also was very badly assaulted and remains very traumatised, reports Lita Cross Fourie of the Tabita charity for traumatised farm-attack victims. Mr Jorgenson is a descendant of the 1882 Norwegian-Lutheran settlers who were given farm-parcels around Port Natal by the British authorites upon arrival from their 46-day journey. ---

http://www.boerentrepreneur.com/farmitracker/reports/view/2499

Murder suspect in double-murder of Percy and Noeleen Whitmore, Bonaero Park, Kempton, identified
Picture: Police identified Shaheed Leen, 40, of Bonteheuwel, as allegedly having participated in the double murder of Percy and Noeleen Whitmore of Bonaero Park in August last year.Kempton Park LookLocal news journalist Bernice Maure reported 3 April that police now believe that Leen had stranged, stabbed the Whitmores.3 April 2012 Last week the police released an Identikit and details about the suspect. Leen's last known address is Bonteheuwel, a coloured suburb in Cape Town notorious for its gang-related killings.
SAPS capt Jethro Mtshali asked anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact W/o Barkhuizen on 011-393-8615 or 082-448-4077.

Whitmore Percy and Noeleen double murder suspect IDd as Sheheen Leen 40 Bonaero Park Kempton Aujgust 2011 http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/kempton-park/kempton-park-news-crime?oid=5304906&sn=Detail&pid=490121&Bonaero-couple-murder-suspect-identified
http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/kempton-park/kempton-park-news-general?oid=4571206&sn=Detail&pid=490121&Readers-touched-by-couple%E2%80%99s-brutal-deaths