Martinus Johannes Steyn

Martinus "Martin" Steyn (1926 - 2004)

Brief overview:

Martin (80), was attacked and tied up and strangled to death with a rope, by three men, on his farm in Alldays, Waterpoort area, Limpopo, on 17th March 2004 around 09h00 when he was milking his cows. The killers then hid Martin's body in the bushes.

Martin's wife, Annatjie (Annie Francina) (76) was assaulted and locked in a cupboard, then the attackers ransacked the home.

According to Van der Goot, Annatjie heard the men arguing in Sotho, a language she speaks fluently, and they were talking about burning down the house with paraffin. Magda de Nysschen, a family member, said the house was "drenched" with paraffin.

Several hours later Annatjie managed to get out of the closet, and because the perpetrators had cut the telephone wires, she had to walk about three kilometres to get help. At this time Annatjie did not realise that Martin had been murdered as she hadn't been able to find him, and thought the attackers had kidnapped him.

Brief Biography:

• Other Victims/Family
• Funeral/Memorial
• The Farm/Smallholding
• The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)

Attack Details:

• Date and time of attack
• Weapons
• Items Stolen
  • The attackers fled in the couple's Colt pick-up truck, after stealing firearms.
• Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
• Torture, Gratuitous violence
• Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.

Perpetrator details:

• Number and Descriptions
  • Three men who spoke Sotho
• Arrests
  • According to Mr. Japie van der Goot, an acquaintance of the couple, the three suspects were caught on 18th March about 60 km from Alldays. One of them used to work for the couple.
  • Farmers in the area were informed about the incident at 14h30, and a search party was formed, along with the police. Van der Goot, who was part of the search party, said roadblocks were set up over a 70 klm radius. Martin's pick-up truck with the three suspects inside was stopped near the Blouberg nature reserve.
  • They took the attackers back to the farm, where a further search lead the team to find Martin's body.
• Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s
• Country of origin of Perpetrator/s
• Trial/Conviction
  • The suspects were due to appear in court.

Additional Biographical Information:

• Identity Number : 2304105013084
• Official cause of death : fracture of the thyroid cartilage
• Martinus married Annie Francina (born Steyn) on 24/09/1955

Links to Media articles:

• https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000188600046821
• http://archive.is/SYSkI