[ad_1]
Leon and Suretha Brits. (Facebook)
- Pofadder hotelier Leon Brits was killed on October 7, 2020.
- His wife, Suretha, was arrested in connection with his murder this week and briefly appeared in court.
- His co-defendant, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison, alleged in his plea agreement that Suretha was the mastermind.
The wife of Pofadder’s murdered hotelier Leon Brits is accused of being the mastermind of his murder, and his co-defendant alleges that he offered him R400,000 and constantly pestered him to do his “dirty work,” according to a report Sunday.
Suretha Brits, 30, was arrested in Kakamas in the Northern Cape on Monday morning, five months after her husband’s murder, News24 reported.
She faces charges of murder, aggravated robbery and perjury.
Leon Brits, 41, a hotel owner in Pofadder, was stabbed in the chest and apparently strangled with a dog leash. His body was allegedly found floating in a pool.
Valuables, including firearms, a cell phone, Kruger Rands, polished diamonds and cash, were allegedly stolen from the facility, Northern Cape police said.
READ ALSO | Hotel owner found stabbed to death in his pool
Police arrested three men shortly after the incident. The Northern Cape Superior Court in Kimberley recently sentenced one of them, Jacques van Vuuren, 37, to an effective 20 years in jail after he entered into a plea bargain.
According to Rapport, Van Vuuren said in his plea deal that Suretha had “constantly pestered” him since September to do his “dirty work” and was allegedly willing to pay R400,000 and also offer him a R125,000 diamond ring.
She claimed that her explanation was that the British beat her, had an extramarital affair, and she would lose custody of her three children.
The British couple. (Suretha Brits / Facebook)
Van Vuuren apparently did not want to carry out the murder himself.
Amantle Bareki, 24, and Enrich Williams, 34, were arrested in connection with the murder and aggravated robbery last year, News24 reported.
Van Vuuren, who worked with Williams at a mine, allegedly asked for his help. Williams is alleged to have recruited Bareki.
Suretha remained in custody after a brief appearance in Pofadder Magistrates Court on Wednesday, according to Times Live.
Police spokesman Capt. Sergio Kock said he would return to court on Wednesday to request bail and that the investigation is continuing.
The EWN reported that prosecutors were expected to oppose his release on bail.
