Jhb widow fears for her life
2008-05-12 10:19
Henley-on-Klip - Mystery surrounds the attack in which a Good Samaritan was murdered and a witness before the Erasmus Commission and her father were cut across the throat.
On April 25, the body of Paul Grobler, 36, from Meyerton, was found by his mother-in-law, Hazel Darbishire, 50, near a riverbank.
His wife Bonnie, 35, apparently asked him in the middle of the night to provide help after some men broke into the house of Tatiana Jacobs-Croucamp, 21, a friend of his mother-in-law.
It is unclear what happened at the house. Jacobus-Croucamp managed to get her wounded father, Tony Zizar by car to a Vereeniging hospital where both were treated for cuts to their throats.
Investigate a burglary
Police spokesperson Captain Shadow Mashobane confirmed that police had found a bloody knife near the parked car at the hospital. Police are investigating whether it was used to attack Jacobus-Croucamp and Zizar. Another knife, gloves and a beanie (hooded cap) were found on the crime scene.
Jacobs-Croucamp was the secretary who made controversial statements to the Erasmus Commission which was investigating former Cape Town councillor Badih Chabaan last year.
Jacobs-Croucamp was allegedly also a friend of murdered Russia mafia boss Yuri Ulianitski, who was assassinated last year in Milnerton, along with his daughter Yulia, 4.
Grobler's family is now trying to come to terms with his death and who is responsible, said Grobler's brother Chris, 41, from Baberton.
"Paul's wife Bonnie, called me shortly after the murder and told me that she woke him up that night to go to the house of a friend of her mother's (Jacobs-Croucamp) as there were burglars breaking into the place," said Chris.
Paul's body, with seven stab wounds, was later found by Darbishire, an estate agent, on the Klip River bank. He is believed to have been assaulted as well.
His widow said she now feared for her life and those of her children, Zoe, 11, and Zane, 5, but was not prepared to comment.
She wouldn't say why she was scared but warned the Beeld reported to "be careful".
"Watch out what you write, because you don't know who you are dealing with".