Dr Roelof Botha and his wife. (Photo: Facebook/Lorette Botha)
- Community doctor Roelof Botha was murdered on his Tulbagh farm on Monday.
- He sustained multiple stab wounds, and it is believed he was attacked with a panga.
- Four people have been arrested.
Four suspects have been arrested for the murder of Tulbagh community doctor Roelof Botha, 59, Western Cape police have said.
According to police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk, Botha’s body was found with multiple stab wounds on Monday at about 18:45 on Schalkenbosch Road in Tulbagh.
Netwerk24 reported a couple and their children found Botha’s body about 400m from his home. He was reportedly rumoured to have been murdered with a panga.
According to the Cape Times, local police said Botha was visiting a zebra camp on his farm when he was attacked.
(Facebook/Lorette Botha)
“It was discovered he had been stabbed with a sharp object. We arrested the four suspects [on Tuesday] and found a shotgun, watch, wallet and a jacket,” police reportedly said.
Community activist at the Witzenberg Justice Coalition Winston Pietersen told the Cape Times residents were in shock after learning of Botha’s murder.
“He was a very good doctor, and also helped… patients who needed help with disabled grants at the clinic; he was a very kind man,” Pietersen reportedly said.
“We, as a community, would like to see that justice is served.”
Van Wyk told News24 the police’s investigation has led to the arrest of the four people, aged between 20 and 35, on a charge of murder. “Detectives are following up on all leads and the investigation continues,” he said.
In a tribute published by Netwerk24, Botha’s daughter, Loré, described him as “the salt of the earth”.
“He was a legend. He was a hero who went out of his way to help his patients and the community. He went above and beyond to help people and to save lives,” Loré wrote.
Van Wyk said anyone with information about the incident should contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Marlon Cupido on 023 230 8100.
– Compiled by Riaan Grobler
