Suspect nabbed for Cradock murder
A 42-year-old suspect, Themba Sindapi , believed to be involved in the murder of the 78-year-old Patricia Orpen, was arrested in the early hours of 27 June in Cradock. Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, Spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Police, said the arrest follows an effort to eradicate crimes against women and children, including the elderly.
Orpen's body, with multiple injuries, was found in her bedroom on a Cradock farm on 5 May. Reports suggest that the arrested suspect was employed as a gardener for the deceased before the incident.
Preliminary investigation revealed that her handbag was missing from the house, as well as a bakkie, which was later found partially burnt and abandoned in the industrial area of Cradock.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga, expressed shock at what seems like insensitive behavioural conduct on the part of perpetrators of gender-based violence.
Ntshinga vowed to stamp the authority of the state in a manner that has not been experienced by criminals.
"I wish to thank members of the community who continue to provide their unwavering support to our investigators. Fighting crime, especially crimes against women, children and elderly, remains a collective responsibility of the police and communities. We can only reap these positive outcomes when we hold our hands together and confront our common enemy head-on," Ntshinga concluded.
The suspect appeared in the Cradock Magistrate's Court on 29 June on murder and malicious damage to property charges.
The case has been postponed until 6 July. The suspect remains in custody.