Dewetsdorp pensioner Iris Potgieter killed for her car and dumped in a field

Three suspects were arrested for allegedly murdering Iris Potgieter on Wednesday afternoon, 25 August, in Free State, Bloemfontein. Mangaung police said the body of the deceased was found in a field near Dewetsdorp where she lived.

POLICE ARREST POTGIETER’S ALLEGED KILLERS

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said that witnesses saw a red Volkswagen Golf that matched the description of the vehicle owned by Potgieter driving towards an open field outside Riverside township near Dewetsdorp on Wednesday.

“The occupants stopped, off-loaded something and then sped off. The police were summoned to the scene and the lifeless body of the Dewetsdorp resident from Caroll Street was discovered,” said Makhele.

Potgieter’s Red Volkswagen Golf Chico was very recognisable to the community and she was known to do odd jobs and offer locals transport with it. The vehicle was not found at her residence on Wednesday.

“Preliminary investigation was instituted and the video footage at the filing station shows two African males acquiring fuel at about 16:00. Information from the deceased’s neighbours is that she left her home to help a client to transport the television,” said Makhele.

The police launched a manhunt to track down the suspect’s responsible for the killing. The next time Potgieter’s golf was spotted was on Friday, 27 August, at Chris Hani and Phase 2 township on the outside of Bloemfontein. Three suspects – two men, aged 19 and 26, and a woman aged 25 – were subsequently arrested and Potgieter’s vehicle was recovered, according to the police.

The police believe the trio killed Potgieter for her vehicle. They were charged with murder, hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle. The suspects were expected to make their first court appearance on Monday, 30 August.

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