Extremely disturbing details about the murder of Antony (73) and Gillian (78) Dinnis, a British couple from KwaZulu-Natal who disappeared without a trace in August last year, were revealed on Tuesday during the bail hearing of one of the accused in the Mooi River Magistrate’s Court .
RNews earlier reported that the couple had been reported missing. The case was later converted to a kidnapping investigation.
Two suspects were arrested in September last year in connection with the Dinnis couple’s disappearance; however, they were released due to insufficient evidence.
Lungelo Mkhize (22), one of the suspects who was initially arrested in September, was later re-arrested and is now facing two charges of kidnapping and one of extortion.
During Tuesday’s bail application, it was revealed that the couple had been kidnapped and murdered from their farm on Scottburgh in Middelrus – where they had lived for the past eight years. After this, their limbs were apparently cut off and sold for motie in Johannesburg.
Francois Rodgers, DA leader in KwaZulu-Natal, says the DA is upset about the gross details that came to light during the application.
“This points to a society that has no respect for life and where the elderly and other vulnerable citizens have become easy prey for criminals.
“According to reports, several other suspects were allegedly involved in the heinous crime. It is of critical importance that these suspects are also arrested so that it sends a clear message that these brutal attacks are unacceptable and will lead to long-term prison terms,” says Rodgers.
He believes that KwaZulu-Natal is becoming more dangerous every day.
“Attacks in rural areas are increasing and residents can no longer go about their lives without constant fear.”
He believes specialist law enforcement units, including a stronger rural policing unit, are desperately needed.
“The DA has repeatedly brought this to the government’s attention; however, this seems to fall on deaf ears.
“The DA expects that Sipho Hlomuka, the MEC for community safety and liaison in KwaZulu-Natal, will ensure justice, not only for the deceased, but also for the Dinnis family as a whole.
“Residents of KwaZulu-Natal can no longer rely on the police service to keep them safe. We therefore expect Hlomuka to heed our calls for specialist units, in the absence of any plan from his ANC-controlled department.”
The couple’s bodies have still not been found.
