DURBAN – On 20 November 2022 at 02:00, Greytown police received a report of a house robbery and murder on a farm at Seven Oaks. On arrival at the scene they found the body of Hans Jurie Venter (84); his house was ransacked and some of his belongings such as a television, laptop, jewellery and cellphone were stolen. The victim was suffocated and strangled to death. Charges of murder and robbery were opened for investigation.

In the early hours of yesterday morning Greytown police, the Pietermaritzburg K9 Unit and the Pietermaritzburg Trio Task Team and Magma Security embarked on an intelligence operation after they received information on the whereabouts of the suspects involved in the murder and robbery. They proceeded to the Boston area where they spotted the eight suspects travelling in two vehicles towards Impendle. When confronted the armed men opened fire at police officers and a shootout ensued during the high speed chase. Two suspects were fatally wounded while six aged between 22 and 38 were arrested for murder, robbery and attempted murder.

Two flat screen televisions, a cellphone and jewellery belonging to Venter were recovered as well as a firearm, knives, a crowbar, gloves and balaclavas. The suspects will also be profiled to check if they are linked to other serious and violent cases reported in Greytown and surrounding areas.

Source: South African Police Service