Murder suspect on new charges
Freed on bail, Brown accused in weekend break-in bid
MURDER accused Charne Brown, who was released from jail on bail less than three months ago, was rearrested on Saturday morning after allegedly attempting to break into a business.
Brown, 37, who authorities say has four cases pending against her, is standing trial for the murder of former Eastern Province rugby coach and Walmer Country Club manager Gerrie Hoekstra.
The latest arrest came during the early hours of Saturday when Brown, Calvin Prince, 33, Gordon Jordaan, 36, and Ashwell Shubu, 31, were arrested after allegedly attempting to burgle a business in Todd Street, North End.
All four were arrested for driving an alleged stolen bakkie as well as for being in possession of implements used in burglaries.
Yesterday, police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the Hyundai bakkie they were driving was seen speeding in Harrower Road, only a few kilometres from the business in North End they allegedly attempted to burgle.
“A witness reported the occupants of the vehicle attempting to break into the premises. The bakkie then spun off and was stopped by police in Harrower Road.
“Various implements used to break into premises were found inside the vehicle.
“It appears that the vehicle was also hot-wired as there were no keys in the ignition.
“On questioning the suspects, they could not provide details on how they got the vehicle or where it came from.”
All four appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court yesterday and will remain in custody until their next court appearance tomorrow.
When Brown was arrested in January, detectives said she, Prince, Jordaan, and Ruaan Deysel, 21, were connected to a string of burglaries across Port Elizabeth.
The three had a handheld radio from a security company inside their vehicle. During the investigation, officers were led to a house in Wells Estate where suspected stolen goods were stashed.
Some items were linked to two burglaries in the Newton Park area, while others were believed to be connected to similar crimes in break-ins in Newton Park, Mount Road and surrounding areas.
One of the items found was a safe allegedly stolen from the St George’s Park swimming pool, where Brown is believed to have worked some years ago.
Brown is also standing trial for the murder of Hoekstra in November 2010. He was shot on leaving the country club while on his way to deposit the weekend’s takings.
In an affidavit, Brown – who handed herself over to police – claimed co-accused Karen van der Merwe, 41, the bookkeeper at the country club, contacted her asking her to find people to rob Hoekstra.
She then consulted Abduragmaan Hendriks, who allegedly recruited Sherwin Leander to carry out the robbery.
Brown, who operated the phones at a taxi company, is alleged to have contacted alleged shooter, Leander, 29, to arrange the robbery.
Taxi driver Hendricks, 43, confessed to his involvement and was sentenced in 2013 to 15 years in prison.
The Hoekstra trial is due to resume on November 2.