The mystery of the Langenhoven Street double murder has deepened after an in-depth conversation we had with a source close to the situation.
Langenhoven Street double murder: Fact-checking claims of an axe
Nadine Terblanche and her son, Ruandré Vorster, were tragically killed inside their home on Langenhoven Street, Randhart, on Monday evening, and Alberton police have since arrested a suspect.
The person charged with the tragic Langenhoven Street double murder is a 37-year-old gardener who, for many years, provided landscaping services at the property.
When the news first broke, several reports suggested Nadine and her son were victims of a burglary, a claim that was quickly written off as fake news.
Then, it was alleged that the murderer hacked the 34-year-old mother and son with an axe. A source close to the situation reliably informed Swisher Post that this too was incorrect.
“There is a story that’s been going around saying that they were hacked to death, that is not true. That’s a nonsense story,” the source confirmed.
According to the source, Nadine’s fiance, Freddie Stapelberg, was the one whom the gardener allegedly attacked with an axe, a version of events later confirmed by the police.
From what we understand, Stapelberg stumbled into the property right after Nadine and her son were allegedly strangled to death by the gardener.
“I wasn’t there, so I can’t say that it’s true, when her fiance or boyfriend came in, he (the gardener) was trying to attack him with an axe,” the insider revealed.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, in a statement, also confirmed that Stapelberg “was apparently attacked by his garden worker with an axe upon his return.”
“The man notified a security guard who responded quickly and stopped the garden worker. The man found the woman and child in the house. They were both pronounced dead at the scene,” Masondo said.
The suspect was due for his first appearance at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, on Wednesday. However, an administrative mishap forced a postponement.
The gardener’s first court appearance has now been rescheduled to Thursday, 30 November 2023.
Nadine’s partner reacts to her death
At this juncture, it remains unclear what evidence police have on the gardener, whom our source revealed was treated very well by Nadine, contrary to speculation around possible wage disgruntlement being a motive for the double murder.
“I know for a fact that’s not true. They had no problem with money. They had no problem with paying their people. They never had a problem with any of that. Like I said, I know that this guy (the gardener) has been with them for years.
“He’s seen the kids grow up in front of him. So, it’s not that they didn’t pay him. If it was him, there must’ve been another reason, but financial, definitely not,” the source said.
Moreover, in a recent statement, Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona revealed Nadine and her son were preparing for a school prize-giving event when they were ambushed.
Reacting to the tragedy a day later, Stapelberg posted this statement on his Facebook Story:
“My words are empty, my heart in shreds, the tears run down from my deepest hurt, my love, my life, my son. It feels so unreal, I am lost and in the darkness of gloom. The damage that has been done between us all, which no person, and especially you two, my heart’s dearest, deserve. Rest softly and rest in peace, my beloved wife and my son. If I could turn back time and could find a way. I miss you and I can’t be without you, to you was the day of joy and full of happiness. I seek you, my love, and seek you, my son. All our fun times, all our time spent.”
Translated from Afrikaans