3 Farm Murders in 24 Hours, Including Renowned Strawberry Farm Owner

Tourists from around South Africa, and the world (including stars like Mariah Carey), have for years made their way to Mooiberge strawberry farms in the Western Cape… where visitors can pick the fruit from the fields and enjoy the scenic landscape. It’s a day’s outing for many that leaves a lifetime of good memories. But sadly, tragedy struck the happy place over the weekend… as its 62-year-old owner, Jeffrey Zetler, was murdered during an alleged robbery on Saturday afternoon.

It was another sad weekend for South Africa, with three farmers murdered within 24 hours… along with many other unnamed victims in townships, suburbs and city centres in a country that is trying so hard to be positive, with some headlines pointing out that farm murders are on the decrease.

Even after Zetler’s death the Stellenbosch community policing forum were quick to point out that although there are assaults, farm murders are not common in the area and that this was the first this year. But statistics are irrelevant when your heart is broken.

South Africa’s Police Minister Bheki Cele and National Commissioner Khehla Sitole recently announced a new “high density stabilisation intervention” to tackle the high level of crime – which will hopefully soon start making a difference for the survivors.

In the meantime the Stellenbosch community mourns the loss of Zetler, a prominent strawberry farmer who supplied both Woolworths and Pick ‘n Pay supermarkets.

Zetler was reportedly fatally stabbed by two suspects in his office after being followed to the gate by the perpetrators in a white Quantum, as he transported workers to the farm.

According to Police Officer Captain Frederick van Wyk: “The suspects instructed the deceased to go to the office where they demanded the keys to the safe and that he must unlock the door. The suspects robbed the victim of his property and stabbed him with a knife. They then fled the scene with their vehicle. The victim passed away on the scene minutes later.”

Zetler’s strawberries were so renowned that during her world tour in 2016, Mariah Carey wanted to visit to pick strawberries, but since they were closed at the time, she visited Zetlers Food & Wine store on the Baden Powell Road instead.

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North West father murdered

In the second farming incident in South Africa over the weekend, police in Hartbeespoortdam in North West say they are investigating a case of murder and house robbery after a 64-year-old man – Peter Dawson – was allegedly shot and killed on Saturday, 23 June 2018.

“According to information at our disposal, the father and his three daughters had a family gathering and two of the three daughters left afterwards. It is alleged that the one daughter, aged 28 stayed behind with the father and was standing outside when three armed men approached her. According to information the suspects instructed the daughter to get inside where they found her father.

Father shot dead near Rustenburg

In the third incident a father – Kallie Schoonraad (46) – was allegedly shot dead on Saturday on his small Swartruggens farm, near Rustenburg, after he rushed outside when he heard screams from his daughter and father.

Sergeant Ofentse Mokgadi‚ Rustenburg police spokesperson‚ told local reporters: “The five suspects allegedly took the grandfather and granddaughter – who were outside the house – inside the house, where they assaulted them. The assault included the deceased’s wife and another daughter. The suspects fled with a Toyota Fortuner‚ television sets‚ three firearms and laptops. We are not sure about money‚” Mokgadi said.

He said the victims were treated for minor injuries. No arrests have been made.

Successful arrests after May murder

Meanwhile five men suspected of the murder last month of a 29-year-old man during a farm attack at the Simonsvlei farm in Komatipoort, are expected to appear at the local magistrates’ court on Friday, 29 June 2018, facing a murder and attempted murder charge, according to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

SAPS said the men are expected to start the process to apply for formal bail application on their next appearance.

Three of the men had worn balaclavas and killed both the 29-year-old and the 59-year-old female farm owner, before fleeing the scene when the woman’s son disturbed them.

The suspects were arrested on Wednesday (20 June) from separate locations around Tonga.