A 33-year-old man is expected to appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 11 December, in connection with the fatal smash-and-grab attack that claimed the life of 64-year-old former teacher Karin van Aardt along Jakes Gerwel Drive.
The arrest follows an intensive joint operation between the SAPS and City of Cape Town law enforcement agencies after van Aardt and her husband, travelling from Nelspruit to Vredenburg last Friday evening, were ambushed by suspects who smashed the window of their hire-car, shortly after the couple had landed at Cape Town International Airport.
During the scuffle, van Aardt was stabbed. Her husband rushed her to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Integrated policing units worked “around the clock” to track down those involved, SAPS said. Acting on intelligence, officers located and apprehended a suspect in Langa, where he was questioned and subsequently charged with murder and aggravated robbery. More arrests are expected as investigations continue.
With the festive season bringing increased movement on major routes, authorities have intensified deployments across identified hotspots as part of the safer festive season operational plan. Police have urged communities to come forward with information that could prevent similar crimes and help ensure suspects are held accountable.
City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, commended the coordinated work of SAPS Bishop Lavis, Law Enforcement, Metro Police, the Special Investigations Unit (SSIU) and the Safety and Security Investigations and Monitoring Service (SSIMS) for securing the breakthrough.
“Their swift and coordinated action over the past few days demonstrates the value of close cooperation between enforcement agencies,” Smith said.
He added that the City will continue supporting SAPS with CCTV footage, ground deployments and information sharing, and confirmed that officers were again in Langa on Tuesday, distributing pamphlets and appealing for public assistance.
Smith said the City had already begun reviewing strategies to curb smash-and-grab syndicates before the latest attack, including expanded deployments, stronger informant networks, targeted investigations and increased use of technology.
“I am deeply saddened that these efforts did not prevent this horrific incident, but we cannot do it alone. We will continue working to find solutions to protect both residents and visitors to our City.”
Smith also urged the prosecuting authority to oppose bail. “The only way we can begin to curb these brazen and violent smash-and-grab attacks is by ensuring that dangerous criminals are removed from society when arrested,” he said, adding that it was likely the suspects had targeted other motorists and would continue to do so if not stopped.
Authorities are calling on the public, particularly residents in and around Langa, to share any information that may help bring all involved to book.
*This article was edited to reflect that the couple were travelling from Nelspruit, where they reside, not Bloemfontein.
