Suspect arrested in murder of Nelspruit ouma Karin van Aardt
MURDERED: Grandmother Karin van Aardt was stabbed to death while on her way to see her family
Image: Facebook
COPS have arrested a suspect in the murder of a Nelspruit grandmother Karin van Aardt, killed in a smash and grab on Jakes Gerwel Drive.
Retired teacher, 64, was stabbed to death last Friday in an attack at the intersection Jakes Gerwel Drive and Jakkalsvlei Avenue during peak traffic.
According to reports in The Lowvelder, Van Aardt and her husband Herman had flown into Cape Town International Airport from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and were en route to Vredenburg, where their son Ruan lives, for their only grandchild's eighth birthday celebration
After hiring a car at the airport, they made their way to the N7 when the suspect smashed her window to grab her handbag and stabbed her multiple times.
She was declared dead at Netcare N1 City Hospital.
Police said a statement yesterday: “In a joint effort between the South African Police Service and City of Cape Town municipality law enforcement officials, following the murder of a 64-year-old woman travelling along Jakes Gerwel Drive in a smash and grab incident, integrated police deployments worked tirelessly by identifying, tracing and charging a 33 year old suspect for the incident.
“The victims, Mrs Karin van Aardt and her husband were travelling to Vredenburg when suspects allegedly smashed the window of their vehicle and attempted to grab items inside. The deceased was stabbed during the scuffle and later certified dead in hospital where she was rushed to by her distraught husband.
“After the disturbing incident, integrated deployments worked around the clock in search of the perpetrators. Armed with vital intelligence, the law enforcement officials pounced on the suspect in Langa. He was questioned by detectives who later charged him with murder and aggravated robbery.
“As the investigation unfolds, the arrest of more suspects is expected.
“The arrested Langa resident is expected to appear at the Bishop Lavis court on Thursday, 11 December 2025.
“An earnest plea is made to local communities to provide information to police in efforts to prevent similar crime incidence from occurring and ensuring perpetrators of crime are brought to book.”
Cops added that during the holiday season integrated deployments have been intensified at identified hotspots in accordance with the safer festive season operational plan.