Baaitjies family calls for fresh murder investigation to be launched

SANDI KWON HOO SANDI.KWONHOO@INL.CO.ZA

THE FAMILY of late Danielskuil DA councillor Johannes Baaitjies have called for a new investigation to be launched to reveal the “real masterminds” behind their loved one’s murder, as well as the killing of his business partner Jeffery Nouse.

Baaitjes and Nouse were killed on the road between Danielskuil and Postmasburg in 2016.

Baaitjie’s sister, Silvia Edwards, recently stated that the family was “still looking over their shoulders” eight years following his death.

“It is with great dismay and pain that my brother’s murder is being used as a bargaining chip. Our family has tried so hard to come to terms with his untimely and brutal death. It is disgusting that his name is being dragged into filthy acts of infighting and candidate lists. His death is being used as a scare tactic in every election. Have his family, widow and children not suffered enough?”

Edwards added that one of the men convicted of her brother’s murder was audaciously using his name to barter R10 million from the ANC.

“My brother was the sole breadwinner of the family. He will never be able to provide for his family ever again. The convicted offender obviously has his reasons and believes that some people are indebted to him, otherwise he would not have made these accusations.

“I had no intention of believing the accused as he lied under oath in court. However, what he says makes a lot of sense.”

She recalled a tape recording of a Section 204 witness that was played during the trial.

“It was stated that the murder was not a ‘local decision but a decision made by ANC top dogs’.

“The witness corroborated the statement that ‘if Baaitjies was there, they would go hungry’.

She added that family members had recently met with the former investigating officer of the case - Lieutenant-colonel Dolf Lourens.

“He informed us about how high-ranking superiors tried to intimidate him and interfere with the investigation.”

Edwards pointed out that one of the State witnesses had passed away under “suspicious circumstances”.

“The bereaved families never really had any closure because the real perpetrators were never identified. We are eagerly awaiting to hear about any new developments after an offender submitted his statement to the Hawks. It would only be fair to the families if the Hawks investigated these claims.

“We are pleading for the case to be reopened so that there can finally be justice for the Baaitjies and Nouse families.

“We commend the Hawks and Lieutenant-colonel Lourens and his team for their professionalism.”