MPUMALANGA - A 51-year-old female accused, was served with a summons on 20 July 2022, by the Nelspruit based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation to return to court for murder and aggravated robbery after the case against her was withdrawn by the Mbombela High Court in 2021. The accused will appear at the Nelspruit Magistrates’ court on 12 August 2022.
The Hawks discovered new evidence against her after an intensive investigation. During the probe, it was discovered that the suspect was amongst the two already life sentence-serving prisoners, Shaun Oosthuizen (42) and John Leonard Du Plooy (32) during the incident. It is alleged that 08 July 2018, the trio entered the Macadamia Old Age Home in Mpumalanga where they robbed and murdered Hendrietta Catherine Potgieter (85) and fled the crime scene with the victim’s jewellery.
The suspects were arrested separately and the case against the 51-year-old female was withdrawn due to insufficient evidence. After the case was handed over to the Hawks for further investigation, the accused was re-arrested and her case was placed back onto the court roll.
The Hawks’ Provincial Head, Major General Zodwa Mokoena appreciated the investigating team for their perseverance and hard work in ensuring that the accused has her day in court.
Source: South African Police Service