Bloem link in Lotz murder?
2006-04-09 23:22
Joylene van Wyk
Bloemfontein - A possible link between the killing of Matie student Inge Lotz and the mysterious death of Danicha de Villiers at Loch Logan Waterfront in Bloemfontein in 2004 is being investigated.
It is believed police are looking at a connection between Fred van der Vyver, the suspect in the Lotz murder, and Professor Derick Veldman, a friend of Danicha's.
The office of the director of public prosecutions in Bloemfontein is trying to tie up the loose ends of the case of Danicha, who died at the waterfront in Bloemfontein in July 2004.
It is speculated there might be a connection between the two men.
The bloody body of Lotz, 22, the only child of Professor Jan Lotz of Bloemfontein, and Juanita Lotz of Welgemoed, was found on March 16 last year in her flat in Klein Welgevonden on the outskirts of Stellenbosch.
She died of wounds to the head, apparently caused by an ornamental hammer.
Post-mortem results studied
Amanda Bester, a lawyer in the office of the national prosecuting authority, said she had already directed inquiries about certain aspects of the Danicha case that she thought should be investigated.
The results of the post-mortem were studied last week.
Ons Stad, a Volksblad community newspaper, earlier reported that director Attie Trollip, director of the investigative unit in Cape Town investigating the Lotz murder, had confirmed that he was investigating certain possibilities.
He has questioned Veldman at the Central University of Technology.
Trolip also visited Ockert de Villiers, Danicha's father.
Years ago, while he was in matric at Grey College in Bloemfontein, Van der Vyver had visited the De Villiers's home.
According to Rapport, De Villiers said Van der Vyver had been an acquaintance of his son, Jean.
He said Veldman was a self-confessed homosexual.
De Villiers was reluctant to talk to Volksblad, but said there was still no light on the subject.
He didn't want to acknowledge that there might be a link between the two deaths.
Lawyer promises media statement
"The questions we ask are unanswerable at present," he said.
Lotz's mother told Volksblad on Sunday that they had no information and didn't want to comment.
William Booth, Van der Vyver's lawyer, said a media statement would be released on Monday.
He said they would consult with the family and would comment on Rapport's report.
- Volksblad