Petronella Engenasina Steyn

Petronella "Nellie" Steyn (1932 - 1999)

Brief overview:

Petronella (67), and her husband Alexander (73) lived on their farm Fort Weber in the Christiana district in the North West Province. On 20th January 1999 the couple were outside when they were overpowered by four attackers. They hit them over their heads and stabbed them, then dragged the victims into the house.

They stole money and other items, then poured out petrol in the house and over their victims and set them alight. Mr. Steyn died of burns and brain injuries, his wife died of brain injuries and a stab wound of the neck. The house burnt down and the bodies were charred.

The attackers left in the couple’s station wagon, which was later abandoned. One of the farm hands saw them leaving and reported to a neighbour. When help arrived it was too late. The house was still burning, but both Steyns were dead.

The attackers were arrested the following day - Mathew Sebeya (19), Kenneth Keohilheytse (19), Jerry Sibitso (19) and a 15 year old youth - all from a township close by. The farm hand partly identified them. Fingerprints of some of the attackers were found in the vehicle, and some had stolen items.

They were tried and convicted, in the then Transvaal High Court from 16 to 27 October 2000. The three older accused received 25 years imprisonment on each of the two counts of murder and 15 years for the robbery with aggravating circumstances and arson respectively, a total of 80 years.

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
• Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
• Torture, Gratuitous violence
• Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.

Perpetrator details:

• Number and Descriptions
• Arrests
• Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s
• Country of origin of Perpetrator/s
• Trial/Conviction

Additional Biographical Information:

• ID Number: 3204180002086
• Official cause of death : Unnatural causes

Comments by the "Committee of Inquiry into Farm Attacks", 2003:

• The attackers all came from a township at the nearest village. Three were 19 years of age and one only 15.
• They were arrested speedily. There was a successful prosecution and the attackers all received very long periods of imprisonment. The case was finalised 21 months after the attack.
• The two victims were elderly persons, who were clearly unable to put up any resistance against four young men. It can be assumed that the murders were completely unnecessary.
• The purpose of the fire is unknown, although it might have been to destroy fingerprints or other clues.
• The prosecutor said during an interview with the Committee that, although the attack was particularly brutal and cruel, there was no political motive involved. The accused went to the farm to steal money.

Links to Media articles:

• https://africacheck.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Final-Report-Com...
• https://archive.is/KaTTx