Steenekamp’s workers arrested for his murder 

Maroelasfontein / Northam – Two farm murders within 24 hours in the Northam and Thabazimbi area on Tuesday 6 September, has put local farmers on high alert.

If the last two farm murders are anything to go by, it seems that you have to stay on a farm and be a kind-hearted person, who treats others (including your workers) with respect to fit the profile of being targeted to be murdered. Steenekamp is described as a kind and generous man.

Niko Steenekamp’s two workers were arrested as suspects in his murder. Steenekamp’s stepdaughter Christine Abreu de Jesus raised the alarm on social media after his bakkie was found abandoned on the Maroelasfontein [gravel] road. 

Several organisations heeded the call and launched a search and rescue operation to help find Steenekamp. The Heritage Protection Group (HPG), Thaba Fire and Rescue, various CPF sectors, Thabazimbi Crisis Control Centre, Matlabas Plaaswag and Dinare Security all joined in the search. All nearby hospitals and emergency services were phoned but no one had any admissions fitting Steenekamp’s description.

On the way to the assist, Thaba Fire and Rescue received information that some items from Steenekamp’s farmhouse were missing.

They immediately knew that the search and rescue operation involved a crime scene. At around 3pm, while busy talking to a farmworker, HPG announced that they found the body of Steenekamp on his farm. Investigations led to the arrests of Steenekamp’s domestic worker, his farm worker and one of his former employees.

A fourth suspect was tracked down and arrested on a nearby farm. The fifth suspect in Steenekamp’s murder unfortunately got away. Some of the items stolen from Steenekamp’s farm house were retrieved. 

Steenekamp will be missed by his loved ones and friends. His family describe him as a brave, spontaneous man and a loving father and husband.

“His death left an emptiness in our hearts and our lives and we will forever cherish the times we had together,” Abreu de Jesus said.

Steenekamp leaves behind his wife Irene Steenekamp, three children Stefan, Elma and little Simone (who is only ten years old) and three stepchildren (Christine, Chantelle and Paul).

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