Nelspruit granny fatally stabbed during Bontehuewel smash-and-grab robbery

The brutal murder of Karin van Aardt (64) near Cape Town International Airport last Friday tragically underscores South Africa's violent crime crisis, fueled by an ineffective justice system.

This is according to Dr. Corné Mulder, the Freedom Front Plus leader.

Van Aardt, who was flying in from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, was tragically killed during a robbery attempt on the N2 while en route to Vredenburg for her grandchild's eighth birthday on Friday.

Van Aardt and her husband, Herman, were stopped at a traffic light when a group of men smashed the passenger window and stabbed her multiple times in the chest while attempting to steal her handbag.

Herman rushed his wife to Netcare N1 City Hospital, but she sadly succumbed to her injuries.

The police have since seized the rental car, but as yet, no suspects have been arrested.

Mulder, who released a statement about the murder, said three weeks prior, the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) warned of the lawlessness around the airport, calling for urgent action against violent attacks on the N2 and R300.

"The murder of Karin van Aardt (64) last Friday near Cape Town International Airport serves as tragic proof of the violent crime situation in South Africa, where criminals – emboldened by a broken criminal justice system – no longer respect the law or human life," he said.

"At the same time, it proves that the authorities are turning a blind eye instead of taking decisive action and using every means at their disposal to apprehend criminals, even while a crime-weary community pleads for protection.

"Three weeks ago, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) issued a strong statement precisely about the violence and lawlessness plaguing the roads around Cape Town International Airport. The headline read: "Action urgently needed to stop violent attacks and stone-throwing on the N2 and R300".

"The party called on all stakeholders – the City, the province, SANRAL and the police – to join hands and work together to find solutions, instead of pointing fingers and shirking responsibility. It is everyone's responsibility; it affects everyone.

"The Freedom Front Plus even put forward practical and implementable proposals for preventive action, such as repairing damaged highway fencing, reactivating broken CCTV cameras and deploying permanent armed patrols at high-risk areas – including the very spot where Mrs Van Aardt was brutally murdered."

Three weeks later, nothing has happened. No acknowledgement that a problem exists. No indication that notice was taken of the party's call for action. No plan, no effort was made. Just silence."

Primere Skool Universitas Tjokkies also took to social media, where she had also been an employee, expressed their shock and condolences to the family. "It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved former colleague, Karin van Aardt.

"She was a light and a joy to all around her, and her absence will be deeply felt," the school said. "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time. May you find comfort in precious memories."

In a 2023 tragedy, Essex surgeon Kar Hao Teoh, was killed while travelling on the N2 but took an alternate route because protesting taxi drivers had blocked the road. He made a wrong turn into an informal settlement in Nyanga, where he was fatally shot.

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