Four boys to appear in court again over murder of woman
FOUR boys accused of hijacking and killing a Port Elizabeth woman earlier this week will return to court today, while the fifth accused, a 15-year-old girl, has been released from custody.
Family and friends of the victim, Magda van Vuuren, 53, will attend her funeral today.
The four boys, aged between 15 and 16, appeared yesterday in the Nerina House Juvenile Court, where they were remanded and their case was postponed until today, according to police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu.
“The girl, who was arrested with the boys, was not charged and was released from custody on Wednesday,” Naidu said.
“The other four accused will return to court tomorrow [today].”
They stand accused of shooting Van Vuuren in front of her mother’s house in Adcockvale on Monday before taking her car.
Van Vuuren died on arrival at Livingstone Hospital.
Three suspects were arrested hours after the incident, and two more the following day.
Van Vuuren’s mother, Sally Potgieter, 83, who witnessed the horrific incident, said yesterday she was still struggling to deal with the loss of her only daughter.
“I don’t think it has really sunk in yet,” she said.
“I watched it happen, but it still feels so unreal to me.
“But I am glad someone has been arrested. It makes me feel a lot safer. Now justice needs to take its course.”
She said she had sympathy for the parents of the accused.
“They must be devastated, and I truly feel sorry for them.”
Van Vuuren’s funeral will be held at 10am today at the Cotswold Evangelist Centre.