Charles Bekker

Charles "Charl" Bekker (1953 - 2023)

Brief overview:

Charl (74), a retired teacher, was ambushed, tied up and strangled to death, on his farm in Vyfhoek near MC Roode Drive, on Thursday 2nd February 2023. After murdering Charl, the four perpetrators went into the house and threatened and tied up his wife, Elzabe (70), and domestic worker. They were not seriously physically injured.

North West police spokesperson, Capt. Sam Tselanyane, confirmed in a statement that four men, presumably Bekker's workers, killed him.

"The men went to the house after they strangled the victim outside. They threatened the servant and tied his wife outside the house. The suspects ransacked the house and demanded the safe's keys," says Tselanyane."

Brief Biography:

• Other Victims/Family
• Funeral/Memorial
  • 16/02/2023: A memorial service will be held at 11:00 at the NG Gemeente Potchefstroom East.
• The Farm/Smallholding
• The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)

Attack Details:

• Date and time of attack
• Weapons
• Items Stolen
  • The murderers ransacked the house, searching for the safe keys, before fleeing in the couple's Mercedes Benz sport utility vehicle.
  • It is still not known what else was stolen.
• Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
• Torture, Gratuitous violence
• Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.

Perpetrator details:

• Number and Descriptions
• Arrests
• No arrests have been made
  • 14/02/2023: Capt. Sam Tselanyane, police spokesperson said that the four men have not yet been located at this stage. "The vehicle has not yet been recovered either."
• Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s
• Country of origin of Perpetrator/s
• Trial/Conviction

Additional Biographical Information:

"Danie Vorster, Bekker's neighbour, told Maroela Media that Bekker has been farming cattle for decades on a farm in Vyfhoek, outside the city. "At the time he was a teacher at Hendrik Potgieter Primary School, after which he went to another school. However, it has been 20 or 30 years since he left teaching and farmed full-time." According to Vorster, Bekker was a beloved man whose death leaves a great void in the agricultural community. "He was a stalwart and an asset in extinguishing fires. He always helped where he could.""

Links to Media articles:

• https://archive.is/DD7dr
• https://archive.is/N9xG6
• https://archive.is/2wmh0
• https://archive.is/3DdAM
• https://archive.ph/89esm