Journalist killed in his bedroom
2007-08-22 09:45
Polokwane - A well-known freelance journalist and long-time Polokwane resident was murdered in his house on Tuesday morning.
The body of Peter Cassidy, 68, was found on the floor of his bedroom in his house in McDonald Street in Flora Park.
Cassidy's voice was particularly well-known on Jacaranda RMFM, which broadcasts daily between 12:00 and 16:00 in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Cassidy's hands and feet were tied when police found him. He was lying on his stomach.
His red Fiat bakkie was found abandoned in the Mankweng area about 30km from Polokwane about 03:00 on Tuesday, said provincial police spokesperson Superintendent Ronel Otto.
The police then went to his house next to the Savannah Mall in Flora Park to inform him about his stolen bakkie, but received no answer.
According to Otto they later returned to the house, and found clear indications of a burglary.
They found Cassidy's body in his bedroom. There was apparently a rope twisted around his neck and a wound to the back of his head.
Otto said it was not clear whether anything had been taken from the house.
Private person
Cassidy was unmarried and had no children. He was apparently a very private person and didn't even possess a cellphone, saying he didn't like cellphones.
Besides his freelance radio work, he also reported for two local newspapers in the city, namely the Northern Review and the Limpopo Informant. Cassidy was a golf enthusiast who was well-known for his reporting of the game.
Hannes Cilliers, editor of the Informant, said Cassidy would be remembered for his lovely personality.
"We will remember him peacefully drinking a Guinness at the golf club," he said.