One arrest in double murder

KNYSNA NEWS - A 29-year-old woman of Port Alfred appeared in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for the murder of an elderly couple at their home in Lindsay Street, Knysna.

The woman, identified by police as Sandiswa Bini, will again appear in court on August 13 to apply for bail. Bini stands accused of two counts of murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, and the contravention of the Organised Crime Act.

Police members of the George cluster and Port Alfred SAPS arrested Bini on Thursday, August 6 for the murders of Brian Davis and his wife Christine Ann.

According to a police statement issued by Captain Bernadine Steyn of the Southern Cape SAPS Media Centre on August 9, the police arrested Bini after Davis (67) and his wife Christine Ann (64) fell victims to a burglary at their home in Lindsay Street, Hunter's Home on August 2.

A neighbour found the body of Christine on the floor of the couple's lounge with an open wound to her neck and injuries to her head. Her husband Brian was taken to a hospital in George after he was found lying in the garage with multiple injuries to his head. He sadly passed away six days later, on August 8. Steyn reported that an Isuzu vehicle, a television set, two laptops and a tablet were taken from the couple’s home.

Knysna’s executive mayor, Georlene Wolmarans responded with shock to the murders, referring to it as “senseless”. She said, “On behalf of the Knysna Municipality, I send my deepest condolences to the family of Mr and Mrs Davis. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we hope that you find strength during this difficult time.

“It is especially tragic in the light of the fact that the couple had left Zimbabwe to seek sanctuary in our beautiful town.

“We are thankful for the swift response of the community, the CPF and the SAPS and the fact that an arrest has been made, but we know that this does not compensate for the loss.

“Knysna has always been and remains to be perceived as a town in which it is safe to live. However, as is the case all over in South Africa, crime is on the increase as a result of poverty and other socio-economic influences. Extra vigilance is needed by all residents to ensure we do what we can to protect ourselves and look out for the safety of our fellow citizens. We therefore implore our citizens to remain vigilant and report any unusual or suspicious behaviour to the authorities.”

Click here for previous articles:

ARTICLE: INGRID LEHMENSICH-BOTHA, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD - CORRESPONDENT

'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'