Inmates escape during blackout

2008-04-23 18:40

Johannesburg - Two escapees may be involved in the farm murder of a Lichtenburg couple this week, North West police said.

"Two men escaped from police cells in Ottoshoop on Sunday evening, whilst power cuts occurred in the area.

"The cells are really dark during these power cuts, we are still not sure as to how they escaped," said Superintendent Carina Fourie.

Fourie said the men escaped between 18:00 and 22:00.

The couple, At Deysel, 60, and Katerina Deysel, 56, were murdered on Monday night on their farm Lichtenburg and Ottoshoop.

Fourie said neighbours saw their bakkie crashed on the side of the road and immediately tried to contact the couple at home.

On getting no reply they went to the farm and found At's body outside the house and Katerina's body inside.

"Katerina was shot, and her husband's throat was slit. The murderers also killed one of the couple's dogs and their parrot."

Fourie could not confirm whether Katerina had been raped. Apart from the crashed bakkie, four firearms and a cellphone were missing.

According to Beeld, meat and a television set were found on the back of the bakkie. Blood was also found inside the bakkie.

Fourie said police in the North West were combing the area.

"We are also using the North West helicopter unit, which is on standby, and dog squads from Stilfontein and Potchefstroom."

The couple had been married for 40 years, and had five children and eight grandchildren.

- SAPA