Western Cape police have called on people who may have witnessed the murder of an elderly British national in Tulbagh this week to come forward.

The victim has been identified as 73-year-old Karl Lauks, who has been living in the Winelands town for many years.

Lauks’ body was found in a car in Piet Retief Street on Monday afternoon. According to Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, police responded to a complaint at approximately 12:15. He was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.

“The motive for this attack is believed to be robbery,” said Swartbooi.

Netwerk24 has reported that Lauks was an engineer who had left London for the Western Cape more than four decades ago. The report further noted locals’ accounts of the incident, suggesting that he may have been attacked in his vehicle, with personal items such as his cellphone, house keys, and belt reportedly missing.

It’s also been reported that a scarf was allegedly used to gag him, and that police later recovered his house keys in the garden of the suspect.

A 29-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and is expected to appear in the Tulbagh Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Netwerk24 reported that Lauks and the suspect were believed to have had prior disagreements.

Tulbagh police continue to investigate the murder and have appealed to witnesses to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or report using the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.