Byleveld takes on Lotz murder case

2012-03-28 08:47

Carryn-Ann Nel, Die Burger

Cape Town - Top former police detective Piet Byleveld has been asked to investigate the unsolved murder of Stellenbosch student Inge Lotz seven years ago.

Her parents Jan and Juanita Lotz approached Byleveld last week for help in finding their daughter's killer.

“It is the best chance that I have to get a good answer. Byleveld has integrity. He is motivated. And he has years of experience,” Jan Lotz said on Tuesday.

R1m reward

“I think we have never been closer to a potential solution than now, with all the facts on the table.”

Two weeks ago, the couple offered a reward of R1m for any information that could lead to the arrest of their daughter’s killer. A large amount of information was received.

“The most important thing is that this material exceeded our expectations. There is some good stuff of substantial value.

“I need someone who can lead the way and take the matter further.”

Byleveld met the couple for the first time on Tuesday morning.

He didn’t want to comment on the case except to say that he had been approached by the Lotzes.

'All possibilities'

When asked where he would begin looking seven years after the murder: “You start at the beginning. You look at all possibilities.”

According to Lotz there were several pieces of information that warranted further evaluation. “What I need, is someone to interpret and process.”

Asked whether he saw this as his last chance, Lotz answered that the murder could be solved. “I don’t think it is something that lies beyond the ability of a detective. I have faith and believe that we have information that will bring us to the answer.”

A combination of old and new information would be followed up.

Lotz did not know Byleveld personally, but had followed his career and read his book. “We are dealing here with an honest and goal-orientated person. This is the kind of person who has the potential to solve the crime. The other important thing is that he is objective and wouldn’t let himself be influenced.

“It is a simple fact to me that no person can live without closure. As I grow older, I have learnt that no person can die without that closure.”

Lotz said he still suspected that Inge had been murdered by someone who knew her and had been at her funeral.
 

- Die Burger