Widow murdered in cemetery
2009-01-19 09:12
Kimberley - A Stillerweë old age home resident was allegedly murdered on Sunday morning while visiting her husband's grave, on the 23rd anniversary of his death.
Hettie Uys, 72, was killed at West End cemetery at a time when dissatisfaction has been expressed about vandalism and a lack of safety at the graveyard.
Uys usually did not go to the cemetery alone, but the friend she had asked to accompany her did not feel well.
Her son, Henry, who lives in Cape Town, said she had apparently gone to the cemetery after church on Sunday morning, and probably reasoned that it would be safe as other people would also be visiting graves at that time.
Kimberley couple John and Rina Fourie found the body at about 11:20 while they were visiting the graves of Rina's two children, who had died in accidents.
The couple had gone to check on the graves because of vandalism at the cemetery.
Body found next to car
They said Uys's body was lying next to her green Renault. Her was face was covered by a sun visor. They also saw a stone covered in blood and trail marks.
The keys were still in the car. She was still wearing one of her shoes - the other was lying on a grave. A mop was found on the scene.
Uys is also survived by two daughters - Annamari Potgieter of Johannesburg, and Henriëtte van Zyl of Zastron - as well as seven grandchildren.
Her body was taken to the state mortuary where a post-mortem will be done.
Tshepo Mofokeng said police would investigate a case of murder, and asked anyone who had any information to please come forward.
