Two suspects have made a court appearance in connection with the recent murder at a cemetery in Stellenbosch.
This follows the death of a victim, identified by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as 77-year-old Johannes de Koker, at a graveyard in Distillery Road in Onder Papegaaiberg on 17 January. He is believed to have been stabbed to death while visiting his son’s grave.
A Western Cape police spokesperson, Captain F.C. Van Wyk, said a security officer led the police to the gravesite where the victim was found.
“They found an unidentified male in his late 70’s laying on his left side next to a gravesite and notice that the upper body of the person was full of blood. Ambulance services was contacted and they notice that the person had an open wound on the right side of his chest area,” said Van Wyk.
The man was declared dead on the scene, and a murder case was opened for investigation.
NPA spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, noted that 38-year-old Darren Stephanus and 20-year-old Ryan Munnik were charged with the murder and appeared in the Stellenbosch Magistrates Court on Friday.
“Their case has been postponed until 02 February 2026 for bail information. The State will oppose their bail application. Both accused remain in custody and more charges are likely to be added at the next court appearance. They have chosen the Legal Aid to legally represent them,” said Ntabazalila.
Their arrest comes after the Stellenbosch Community Policing Forum (CPF) sought counsel from the local and provincial government to address safety at cemeteries. CPF chairperson, Andre Pelser, said the incident is deeply concerning.
“It was a horrible, tragic murder. The brutality was shocking. This father has been going to his son’s grave – who died tragically years ago in a drowning – every year and cleaned the grave. It’s a sad ending to his life and his homage to his son,” said Pelser.
He warned that cemeteries have become “danger zones”, not only in Stellenbosch but other parts of the province.
In December 2025, Grassy Park police registered a murder case after the body of a 23-year-old woman was found in a shallow grave at Klip Road cemetery. She had been reported missing days earlier, and a 42-year-old suspect was arrested.
More recently, in January 2026, a suspected “gang-related” shooting at the Maitland cemetery left two men dead and two others wounded.
Pelser said he had already approached authorities to address safety concerns.
“We have taken steps to speak to the premier… the mayor and the ward councillor and we are busy addressing the situation urgently. I hope we can improve it so that people can visit their loved ones in peace.”
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information on the Stellenbosch killing to come forward anonymously.
