On the 14th of December 2020 on the farm ‘Hoegelee’ in Bishopstowe two suspects lured Mr Danie de Bruin (Aged 58) out of his home to serve them at the tuck shop which was located in the workshop area of the farm and serves as a staff support structure. It was here that they attacked and murdered Danie.
The suspects then moved on to Danie’s home where they proceeded to attack Mrs Glynis de Bruin (60) and her father Mr Colin Schwegman (87), hacking them to death with knives.
Some items from the home as well as the tuck shop were stolen in the process.
It was later determined that the suspects were seasonal workers on the farm and had allegedly had a significant argument a couple of weeks prior with Danie regarding Christmas bonuses. The suspects were not contracted to the farm when the attack occurred.
The crime scene was secured and Specialised Victim Support was activated by VCAT (Violent Crimes and Technology Support) (NPO). All role-players were informed and a collaboration network of Provincial Organised Crime (Hawks), Crime Intelligence, Forensics, K9, Flying Squad, SAPS Hilton Radio Control 10111, Bishopstowe Detective Branch, VCAT, Assist Me Now responders, PAC, K9 Synerg and the National SNIPR™ ANPR Validation Centre and other roleplayers was formed.
After the SAPS specialised team and the Investigating Officer established a primary list of persons of interest, the SAPS, Provincial Organised Crime (Hawks), Crime Intelligence and K9 unit determined the locations of a specific target and got into position to further investigate. A well-executed arrest took place without incident and the suspect was found in possession of stolen items from the property as well as one of the murder weapons. He also had bloodied clothing from the attack.
The team then confirmed further details and the second suspect was also arrested without incident. He was found in possession of stolen items from the property including the second murder weapon, a long knife that was bloodied.
This is an exemplary example of the incredible teamwork of the SAPS divisions, Provincial, Cluster and Local, their leadership on the ground and the collaboration with the community collaboration network to harness all resources..
The arrest in many ways is the easy part, and now the Investigating Officer will continue to work with the family, community and with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to see that all collaboration is presented and that justice is severed.
de Bruin Triple Murder
2020
14 December `20, Mon - 18:30
de Bruin Family Murdered
87 Years, 6 Months, 9 Days, 10 Hours, 30 Minutes Start of Colin's life timeline till incident
60 Years, 7 Months, 7 Days, 10 Hours, 30 Minutes Start of Glynis's life timeline till incident
58 Years, 7 Months, 7 Days, 10 Hours, 30 Minutes Start of Danie's life timeline till incident
Two suspects lure Danie out of his home to serve them at the tuck shop located in the workshop area of the farm. They attack and kill Danie and move on to the home where they hack Glynis and Colin to death with knives.
The suspects steal some items from the house and the tuck shop.
14 December `20, Mon - 20:00
Collaboration Network established
0 Days, 1 Hour, 30 Minutes From incident till collaboration network established
The crime scene was secured and Specialised Victim Support was activated by VCAT (Violent Crimes and Technology Support) (NPO).
All role-players were informed and a collaboration network of Provincial Organised Crime (Hawks), Crime Intelligence, Forensics, K9, Flying Squad, SAPS Hilton Radio Control 10111, Bishopstowe Detective Branch, VCAT, Assist Me Now responders, PAC, K9 Synerg and the National SNIPR™ ANPR Validation Centre and other roleplayers was formed.
15 December `20, Tue - 02:00
Arrests
0 Days, 7 Hours, 30 Minutes From incident till arrests
During the investigation at the crime scene, the SAPS specialised team and the Investigating Officer establishes a line of investigation and a primary list of persons of interest. It is determined that the suspects were seasonal workers on the farm and according to staff, had allegedly had a significant argument a couple of weeks prior with Danie regarding Christmas bonuses.
The SAPS, Hawks, Crime Intelligence and K9 unit determine the locations of a specific target and get into position to further investigate and a well-executed arrest takes place without incident. The suspect is found in possession of stolen items from the property and one of the murder weapons. He also has bloodied clothing from the attack.
The team then confirm further details and the second house is penetrated. The second suspect is also arrested without incident. He is found in possession of stolen items from the property including the second murder weapon, a long knife that is bloodied.
17 December `20, Thu - 09:00
Trial
2 Days, 7 Hours, 0 Minutes From arrests till trial
The two suspects charged with the triple murder of the de Bruin family make an appearance in the Pietermaritzburg court today.
The accused are Lizo Mdukani (36) and Thembelani Majola (27) and each face 3 counts of murder and armed robbery.
The case has been postponed for bail hearing until the 12th January 2021 and the accused will remain in custody until then.
2021
12 January `21, Tue - 09:00
Bail Hearing remanded
26 Days, 0 Hours, 0 Minutes From previous court appearance will this court appearance
The bail hearing processes are scheduled for today. The case is remanded for further investigation to 29 April 2021.The accused will remain in custody.
29 April `21, Thu - 09:00
Bail Hearing rescheduled
3 Months, 17 Days, 0 Hours, 0 Minutes From previous court appearance will this court appearance
The bail hearing processes are scheduled for today. The case is remanded for further investigation to 28 May 2021. The accused will remain in custody.
28 May `21, Fri - 09:00
Bail Hearing scheduled
2 Years, 10 Months, 30 Days, 4 Hours, 34 Minutes Till next court appearance
