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Human Interest

Mooinooi murders: What we know about the brutal killings

───   15:49 Tue, 18 Sep 2018

Mooinooi murders: What we know about the brutal killings | News Article

The Mooinooi murders, killings so horrific and perverse, rattled the small North West town to its core.


On 10 December 2017, Joey and Anisha van Niekerk, a married couple who owned a smallholding roughly halfway 40 kilometres outside Rustenburg, were brutally raped and murdered.

The ongoing court case, which is being heard before the Brits Magistrate’s Court, has revealed disturbing details of the crime, which include a dastardly plan to dispossess the Van Niekerks of their land and lives.

News24 has reported on the case, with lead prosecutor, Christine Molautsi, unpacking the heartless actions of the accused.

Mooinooi murders: The accused

The alleged mastermind behind the murderous plan is Koos Strydom. Strydom, a 52-year-old panel beater, who rented a workshop on the victims’ farm, enlisted the help of his Mozambican employees in carrying out the murder of both women.

Mercia Strydom, Koos’ wife, is also implicated in the murder case; it’s alleged that she was present during the rape of both women, and also helped discard of evidence relating to the crime.

Alex Modau and two Mozambican brothers, aged 18 and 23, worked for Koos and are the alleged rapists.

The Mooinooi murders

According to state testimony, the Van Niekerks were killed because Koos wanted ownership of their smallholding, which was in Anisha’s name. It’s alleged that Koos approached the victims with a contract which would effectively hand over the property rights. Prosecutor Molautsi outlined the events which led to the killings, saying:

“Accused two (Strydom) decided that in order to enforce the purchaser’s contract, Anisha van Niekerk must be forced to sign it. His aim was that both the deceased should be murdered after the contract was signed. To this purpose, he approached the other accused for help.”

The State alleges that Koos convinced Anisha to sign the document and that afterwards, he instructed his accomplices to murder the women. The victims were bound, raped, tortured and eventually shot. Their bank cards were stolen and used by the accused in the days following the murder. Molautsi explained:

“The two deceased were raped more than once by accused one and three [before they were murdered]. Their bodies were then burnt. The State will prove that all the accused worked together in a premeditated crime. The murders were planned in advance and carried out in a robbery. The victims were raped repeatedly [in the execution of the plan].”

The Van Niekerk’s car was found burnt-out on 16 December in the Magaliesburg area. While Anisha’s remains were discovered on Koos’ farm, Joey’s body was never found.

mooinooi murdersJoey and Anisha van Niekerk / Photo: Facebook

The court case

All five suspects are on trial for two counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of kidnapping, three of theft and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The two Mozambican brothers are on trial for rape, and as such, their names cannot be revealed.

All accused last appeared before Magistrate Reagen Rosenberg on 28 August. The case has been postponed to 27 September. All suspects remain in custody, with the exception of Mercia Strydom, who is in the process of obtaining independent legal counsel.


thesouthafrican.com

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