Chef sees hoteliers gunned down
2007-11-08 23:05
Sandile Waka-Zamisa, Stephanie Saville and Dries Liebenberg
Pietermaritzburg - The tight-knit community of Wartburg has been rocked by the murders of the owners of the Wartburger Hof Hotel, Siggy, 68, and Ingrid, 63, Schädle, on Wednesday night.
According to police, a gunman entered the Wartburger Hof at 22:00 on Wednesday and shot the couple at point-blank range.
The small town was in shock as news of the murders quickly spread. The hotel was closed for business on Thursday morning, but several vehicles were parked outside the gate as residents flocked to express their condolences.
Business owners and others in the town have reacted with shock to the killings.
Police spokesperson Henry Budhram said a hotel chef saw the killings.
He said the gunman shot Ingrid first as she stood behind the counter before turning the gun on her husband.
"The gunman shot Ingrid and went to the lounge and fired several shots. He escaped in a vehicle that was parked outside."
Ingrid had a gunshot wound to her left shoulder and Siggi was shot several times.
Chef Max Haller said he had been busy talking to a plumber in the kitchen when he heard a scream, followed by a shot.
He ran through to the reception area and saw a man wielding a gun. Haller ran back to press the panic button and heard more shots.
Revenge killings suspected
All the guests were apparently in their rooms at the time.
Haller said the couple were survived by a son, Chris, who worked with them, and a daughter, Tina Piccione, who had emigrated to Australia recently.
The motive for the killings has not yet been established, but sources told The Witness that the killing might have been related to a revenge attack by an ex-employee who held a grudge against the Schädles, after being fired for allegedly stealing meat.
Budhram said nothing had been stolen from the hotel. Several 9mm casings were found at the hotel. - The Witness / Beeld