Lotz: More arrests possible

2007-12-11 07:26

Tisha Steyn

Cape Town - In yet another twist in the Inge Lotz murder case, charges of intimidation and defeating the ends of justice have been laid against two police officials who investigated the case.

The possibility also existed that new suspects might be arrested soon.

The case was brought by private investigators Daryl Els and Christian Botha against Director Attie Trollip and Inspector Deon Clive de Villiers at Stellenbosch police station.

Els and Botha were appointed by the father of Fred van der Vyver, after 22-year-old Inge Lotz was murdered in her flat in Stellenbosch on March 16 2005.

Trollip was the chief investigating officer in the case in which Judge Deon van Zyl found Van der Vyver, 25, not guilty in the Cape High Court on November 29.

Allegedly threatened witness

Els and Botha took down a sworn statement from a murder witness in the presence of his legal representative.

Els told Die Burger on Monday that, according to the statement, Trollip allegedly intimidated the witness and told him to say he had not been involved in the Lotz murder or else he would spend a very long time in prison.

According to the statement, Trollip also told the witness that he should deny ever being involved in the murder.

De Villiers allegedly threatened the witness that if he did not change his version of what had happened, he would make life very difficult for him.

If he changed his version of the murder from the statement he had given to police, he would be set free that day.

The witness had explained what had happened on that day and implicated others. More arrests could not be excluded, said Els.

This was the second charge to be laid against Trollip and De Villiers within a week.

Last Wednesday, Niel van Heerden of George Fivas and Associates in Mossel Bay laid a charge of fraud against Trollip, De Villiers, Superintendent Stephanus Koekemoer and State prosecutor advocate Carine Teunissen.

Van Heerden had been appointed by Inge's parents, Professor Jan Lotz and his wife, Juanita, to investigate her murder.

'Should be suspended'

Van Heerden's statement read: "In my opinion, advocate Carine Teunissen illegally and intentionally withheld information from the high court."

"It could have led to an innocent person being sent to jail for life. They also cost taxpayers millions of rands."

"I want the case to be investigated by the Independent Complaints Directorate".

Van Heerden also wanted disciplinary action against them.

"These charges are of such a serious nature that they should be suspended until the case against them has been finalised," he said.

Fred van der Vyver said on Monday evening: "I don't want to comment at this stage as the investigation is still going on."

- Die Burger