Ricardo Tavares de Castro

Ricardo Tavares de Castro (1946 - 1997)

Brief overview:

Ricardo (50), from Farm Waterval in Zeerust was shot dead on 22nd September 1997. He came out to the barn where he was shot after his workers were held up by the armed men, and one was forced to go and fetch him.

Brief Biography:

• Other Victims/Family
• Funeral/Memorial
• The Farm/Smallholding
• The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)
  • 10 people were murdered during attacks on farms and smallholdings in the North West Province from January to November 1997. The cause of death of 7 out of the 10 victims was gunshot wounds. 10 known victims survived attacks in this province from January to December 1997.
  • Wicus Fouche (35), shot dead in his pickup truck on his farm Avalon, Lichtenberg on 19/01/1997.
  • John Henry Denner (71) shot dead at his farm stall in Lizumpi, Klerksdorp on 06/04/1997.
  • Ebenhaezer Janse van Rensburg (69) shot dead through window at his farm Buffelsvlei, Ventersdorp on 16/06/1997
  • Charlotte Catharina van der Walt (50) shot dead in Geluk, Brits on 06/08/1997.
  • Jan Andries Petrus Swanepoel (50) shot dead on Wolwekraal farm, Brits on 02/09/1997.
  • Hermanus Egbert Pieter Kotzee (49) tied up and stabbed, at Groenpan farm, Schweizer-Reneke on 15/08/1997.
  • Mr du Plessis from Boshoek smallholdings near Phokeng, bludgeoned to death with a hammer on 17/08/1997.
  • Ricardo Tavares de Castro (50) shot dead at Waterval farm, Zeerust on 22/09/1997.
  • Johanna Magrietha Jacoba Slabbert (78) strangled to death at Cyferfontein farm, near Rymsierbuld, Potchefstroon on 29/10/1997.
  • Nicolaas Marais Boonzaaier (55) shot dead on his farm de Hoop in de Hoop farm, Schweizer-Reneke on 30/11/1997.
• Known non fatal attacks:
  • 31/01/1997: Jan Craukamp was ambushed when he arrived at home in Zanfontein, Rustenburg, and held up at gunpoint, the attacker was interrupted and fled.
  • 14/08/1997: Christoffel Viljoen (66) and his wife Martie (61), were attacked in their bed on Farm Gerhard Minnebron, Potchefstroom. Christoffel was stabbed in his mouth, hand and arms.
  • 17/08/1997: Andre Vorster and his family, including his elderly mother, wife Jolene, their son and daughter Elizma and baby Marisa, as well as their neighbour Ben Venter, were attacked by a gang of 6 men. They were locked up and robbed on Farm Sadiba-Kwele, Brits.
  • 02/09/1997: Ella Denner (41) was shot in the hand and robbed during an attack on her smallholding in Zuurplaat, Monnare, Rustenburg. Her housekeeper, Connie Monnare, was not injured.
  • 07/11/1997: Jasper Nell (69), his wife Katharina (61), and his sister Sarie Vorster (67) were attacked by an armed gang on Farm Brakkloof, Swartruggens. Jasper was bludgeoned in the face with a bolt cutter and his jaw broken, he was also stabbed in the back and shoulder with a knife. Sarie was beaten with a walking stick and club, and both arms were broken.
  • 12/11/1997: Antoléne Espach (21) and her housekeeper Lena Molefe, were overpowered and robbed inside the kitchen of their farmhouse in Potchefstroom.
  • 12/1997: Gert Zaayman (60) was overpowered at gunpoint by 6 men, who had also shot his dog to death, but was saved when a visitor arrived, at his smallholding in Carletonville, and the attackers fled.
  • 06/12/1997: Mrs FA Baumont (56) was attacked on her farm in the Rooikoppies area, overpowered, tied up and robbed.
  • 08/12/1997: Babs Labuschagne from Farm Witpoort, near Ventersdorp, was saved by her housekeeper, Betha Molekang, who surprised attackers by her arrival at work. They shot at her, but she managed to escape.
  • 28/12/1997: André Maree, from Roodepan, Ventersdorp, was spared when his answering machine distracted his attackers who fled.

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:

• Identity Number : 4611125161083
• Official cause of death : Unnatural causes
• Ricardo married Beatrice Amelia on 11/01/1974

Links to Media articles:

• https://www.yumpu.com/nl/document/read/4451339/laai-af-die-lys-van-...
• https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0UlqSM-_mwDNWJlZmMxNmYtNGMwMS00Yz...