Community rallies to find the killer of 75-year-old Hanover Park woman

Angry residents in Hanover Park have vowed to find the killer of a 75-year-old woman after she was found murdered in her bed on Wednesday following a burglary.

Police were called to the Surburg Walk home of well-loved resident, Mary Douman, after her body was discovered by her son who had been working night shift.

Residents mobilised as soon as news spread of the tragedy and vowed to track her killer if police didn’t.

They said they would do so by searching each premises in the community for the stolen items, including a mountain bike.

They also called on relatives to hand over the murderer over to police.

Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooim said: “The circumstances surrounding this incident are now the subject of an investigation by the South African Police Service. Philippi police responded to a complaint on July 23. Upon arrival at the crime scene in Surburg Walk in Hanover Park at about 8:15am, they found the body of an adult woman inside the house. The victim aged 75 was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. According to reports the son of the deceased left the house for work on Tuesday July 22 at 6:30pm. Upon his return this morning at about 7:30am, he found the victim on the bed with her face on the pillow and the house in disarray."

Philippi police are investigating cases of murder and house robbery.

Resident and community activist, Brian Jephta, said they were shocked by the murder.

“We have experienced a lot of gang violence and shootings in Hanover Park and I have personally written to the City’s JP Smith and Community Safety MEC,  Anroux Marais about this.

“It's alleged that gang members were seen on camera footage and took bicycles from the premises and it must have been that she caught them and then they murdered her.

“I have received numerous messages from people appealing to policing, that many previous police are keen to come back and help.”

Another resident, who spoke on a loud speaker in a video shared on social media as the body of Douman was being prepared to leave to the mortuary, said they were keen to make a citizen’s arrest and carry out a house to house search.

“I respect Aunty Mary, I grew up in front of her,” he said.

“This is nonsense that people can just break in and do what they want to.

“We are going to come in and we are going to search every yard and we will look for that mountain bike.

“That bike is in this area.

“That is what we will do.

“We are coming for you.

“If it's your brother, bring him in.”

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

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