Die verhoor teen die vyf beskuldigdes wat tereg staan op die moord van Joeye en Anisha van Niekerk is uitgestel tot Augustus. Beskuldigde een en drie se identiteit mag nie bekend gemaak word nie – Photo: Deaan Vivier
Die verhoor teen die vyf beskuldigdes wat tereg staan op die moord van Joeye en Anisha van Niekerk is uitgestel tot Augustus. Beskuldigde een en drie se identiteit mag nie bekend gemaak word nie – Photo: Deaan Vivier
The five suspects on trial for the barbaric murder of Joey and Anisha van Niekerk in Mooinooi, North West have entered a plea of “not guilty” during an appearance at the Pretoria High Court on Monday. The married couple were subjected to a round of horrendous physical abuse before they were eventually murdered.
Joey and Anisha van Niekerk who were tortured and killed for their farm in #Mooinooi in December 2017…#SABCNews pic.twitter.com/oSVtU3fjH5
— Ofentse Setimo (@Stimoroller) August 19, 2019
The accused are facing charges of rape and kidnapping as well as murder, after this heinous crime made international headlines in 2017. 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.
We’ve put together a quick factfile on the suspects, and the apparent ringleader of the operation. Following their unanimous denial on Monday, it looks like the Mooinooi case is heading for a lengthy trial.
Mooinooi murders: Who are the suspects?
What we know about the suspects so far:
The alleged mastermind behind the murderous plan is Koos Strydom. He 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. 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.
Other suspects arrested for the crime have since been released by authorities. At the end of last year, charges were dropped against other three co-accused: Moses Rakubu, Vincent Strydom and Maroeca Opperman.
Who is Koos Strydom? More about the Mooinooi mastermind…
Strydom, aged 53, used to work as a panel beater and rented a workshop on the victims’ farm. All the evidence suggests he is not adverse to breaking the law: While incarcerated, Strydom has also allegedly attempted to pay a fellow inmate to kill the officer who arrested him in Mooinooi.
Jannie van der Walt is said to have been targeted in the evil plot. The “mastermind” has also been charged for intimidation, after threatening to kill certain trial witnesses in a leaked video clip from last September.
Motivations for the murder
The couple owned farmland and a property that Strydom and his family wanted to acquire. He drafted up a contract for the pair to sign, but it would seem there was little intention of coming to an amicable agreement.
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.
What charges they are facing
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.
