KEY POINTS
-
An 80-year-old businessman was murdered in his Mpumalanga home; his wife, son, and grandson have been arrested for allegedly orchestrating the killing.
-
Police initially believed it was a robbery staged by armed men, but later discovered it may have been planned by the family.
-
The suspects remain in custody and will reappear in court on May 6, as police probe for possible additional accomplices.
Three members of the same family have appeared in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court after being arrested in connection with the murder of 80-year-old businessman Freddy George Willis in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga.
The accused—his 75-year-old wife Nomvula Lucy Willis, their 55-year-old son George Kennedy Willis, and 29-year-old grandson Kenny Rudolph Willis—are all facing murder charges after the patriarch was fatally shot inside his home on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli detailed how the crime unfolded. According to George Willis’s initial statement, he had arrived at his parents’ residence in a Mercedes-Benz when two armed men wearing balaclavas allegedly attacked him and tied him with a cable.
IOL reports that the suspects then entered the home and shot Freddy Willis at close range before fleeing in George’s vehicle.
“The suspects reportedly tied him with a cable and proceeded into the house where they found Mr. Willis seated. They then sadly shot him point-blank before fleeing the scene,” Mdhluli said.
Police investigation exposes staged attack
However, investigators grew suspicious of inconsistencies in the statements provided and, after a rigorous probe, arrested the victim’s closest relatives. Their arrest followed several days of forensic analysis, witness interviews, and tracking of the stolen vehicle, which police later recovered partially stripped in a nearby township.
“The breakthrough in the case was the result of thorough investigative work by our team, which pieced together the events of the day and uncovered evidence pointing directly to the family members,” said Mdhluli.
Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests. “The investigation is ongoing, and we cannot exclude the involvement of other individuals who may have played a role in this crime,” he added.
The accused have been remanded in custody and are expected to return to court on May 6, 2025, for a formal bail hearing. Prosecutors are likely to oppose bail, citing the seriousness of the offense and the risk of interference with the investigation.
Acting provincial police commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi praised the swift progress made by the detectives. “This incident is deeply concerning, and we will not rest until all those responsible are held accountable,” Mkhwanazi stated.
The murder has sent shockwaves through the Schoemansdal community, where Willis was known as a respected businessman and elder. Community leaders have expressed outrage over the alleged betrayal by his own family, describing it as a “grievous violation of family trust and humanity.”
Authorities have appealed to anyone with further information to come forward, as investigators continue to build their case.
