Man who reports murder now arrested for actual murder

(Archive photo: Elisma van der Watt/Maroela Media)

Three months after a man reported a murder to the police, he and another man have now been arrested for the same murder.

Hendrik Pretorius (59) and Benjamin Roos (42) appeared in the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of murder and house robbery.

The two men were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder of Riaan Scheepers (52).

According to Lt. Col. Sam Tselanyane, police spokesperson, apparently it was Pretorius who informed the police on March 25 of a murder and house robbery on Swartruggens.

“Upon their arrival at the scene, the police came across a man’s body lying in a pool of blood. He suffered multiple wounds to his upper body. All relevant role players were called, and Scheepers, who allegedly lived alone, was pronounced dead at the scene.”

The police immediately started a search for the suspects and followed up on every lead. According to Tselanyane, a few days after the incident, someone allegedly advertised goods on a local WhatsApp group. The goods turned out to be those stolen from the deceased’s house.

“A contact number and address were not provided in the advertisement. The police were notified and in May the same goods were allegedly advertised again with a contact number and address. When confronted by the police about the advertisement, Pretorius denied any knowledge of the advertisement on the group.”

According to Tselanyane, Pretorius contacted the police again in April and reported a burglary and theft at the deceased’s residence. “With the help of crime intelligence and after obtaining a warrant for the search of Pretorius’ residence, the police found a mobile phone in which the alleged murder weapon was discussed. The two suspects were immediately arrested and charged with murder and house robbery.”

Pretorius and Roos must appear in court again on June 17, when they are expected to apply for bail.

The investigation into the murder continues.