Three in court afterWelsh couple found dead after alleged robbery
THREE people have appeared in court after a Welsh couple were found dead in a river in South Africa.
Grandparents Roger and Christine Solik, who moved from Abercynon, near Aberdare, to South Africa in 1981, were killed after an alleged robbery at their farmland estate.
Mrs Solik, 57, was found dead in a river 35 miles from her home on February 17 and the body of Parkinson’s sufferer Roger, 66, was recovered three days later.
Police received a report on February 17 that the couple were missing.
When police arrived on the scene, they discovered bloodstains in their house and launched an investigation into kidnapping and robbery.
Mrs Solik’s body was discovered later that day by a passer-by in a river at Nzinga, Impendle, which is nearly 30 miles away from the town of Nottingham Road where the couple lived.
Their vehicle, a Hyundai IX 35, was found abandoned. Three days later on February 20, the body of Mr Solik was recovered around 3km downstream in the middle of the river.
Police in South Africa arrested three people aged 31, 32 and 42 in connection with the investigation.
One was arrested in Umlazi and the other two were arrested in Impendle where they were found in possession of two unlicensed firearms and suspected stolen property.
They all appeared at Howick Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Police arrested another man last week who has been charged with murder, kidnapping and house robbery.
The South African Police Service said the man appeared at Howick Magistrates’ Court on March 3 and has been remanded in custody until March 13.