Cancer kills super sleuth Piet Byleveld at 67
SOUTH Africans know Piet Byleveld as the man who apprehended infamous serial killers and murderers – known for his success rate in the cases he took on. “To South Africa and the world, Piet was the top cop,” Byleveld’s family said. “To us, he was more. He was the best husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend.”
The celebrated detective died yesterday at the Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital in Roodepoort, succumbing to his battle with Stage 4 lung cancer. He was 67.
Retired Major-General Bushie Engelbrecht, once in charge of Byleveld, remembered him for his professionalism, especially the suit and tie he always wore. Byleveld was a man of respect and, in turn, commanded respect from others.
In June 2010, Byleveld retired from his 38-year career with the South African Police Service. Engelbrecht also retired that year, and they ended up at the same private security company. A few years later, the two left to start their own endeavours. Although they drifted apart, Engelbrecht recalled how happy Byleveld was when he requested a promotion for the top sleuth.
Byleveld’s superiors were so impressed by his record, Engelbrecht said, that he went straight from the rank of lieutenant-colonel to brigadier, skipping colonel altogether. He worked on cases related to serial killers such as Moses Sithole of the ABC Murders, the Wemmer Pan killer Cedric Maake and Nasrec serial killer Lazarus Mazingane, as well as the murders of Leigh Matthews and Sheldean Human.
“Criminals would remember him as the detective with the soft voice who cornered them with his unique interviewing techniques,” said Lieutenant-General Deliwe de Lange, the Gauteng provincial commissioner.
Internationally, he assisted the FBI, the Mossad and Scotland Yard in investigations. SAPS national spokesperson Major-General Sally de Beer said she interacted with Byleveld when he worked on high-profile cases that riveted the nation. She praised his tireless efforts in solving cases and bringing comfort to victims’ families.