On 7 October 2020, Leon Brits (41), who owned a hotel in Pofadder, was stabbed to death. His body was found floating in a swimming pool and valuables were allegedly stolen from the premises. The valuables included firearms, Kruger Rands, a cellphone, diamonds and cash.
And even though three men were arrested for the murder, it was revealed on Monday (15 November) that Suretha Brits was the mastermind behind the idea.
According to one of the men, Jacques van Vuuren, she “constantly pestered” him since September 2020 to do her “dirty work”. According to van Vuuren, she was willing to pay R400 000 and even included her diamond ring which is worth R125 000.
Van Vuuren also further claimed that the reasons for Brits murdering her husband was that he had been beating her, he had an affair outside of their marriage, and she was scared to lose custody of their three children.
The truth comes out and Brits pleads guilty
Brits also pleaded guilty to a count of robbery with aggravating circumstances. This is in terms of a section 105A agreement in the Upington Circuit High Court on Monday
“The accused agreed that she was not forced into making submissions about her role in the planned killing of her husband,” said National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane.
Judge Mpho Mamosebo found Brits guilty on both counts. She is sentenced to 25 years for murder and 15 years for robbery, however, the two sentences will run concurrently.
After Birts was sentenced, State advocate Johannes Cloete requested a separation of the trials for the other accused.