The murder of a young man sent shockwaves through Kroonstad when he was murdered in cold blood for his cell phone and wallet.
Wesley Marais (23) was on his way home after a night out with friends in Kroonstad in the early hours of Saturday morning when he was attacked, robbed, and murdered in front of his home.
Marais lived with friends, Neels and Jean-Marie Cornelissen in Thesenstraat Kroonstad. The Cornelissen’s heard Marais shouting for help at the gate and immediately rushed to help him and realized that he was stabbed. They called the authorities, while trying to stop the bleeding after Marais was stabbed with a knife, but he died in Cornelissen’s arms. Cornelissen and Marais were friends for 10 years.
Since 2015 Marais worked at two well–known tyre companies in town and his mother, Nicolene Kotzé, described him as a happy-go-lucky guy who was always friendly and was comfortable in any company. Kotzé says, Marais liked to gym and played pool and he was known for riding his bicycle all over town.
Today the family had to identify his body.
His funeral will be this Friday at 11:00 at the Dutch Reformed Church Kroonheuwel-Noord. Rev. Pieter Mohr van Niekerk will conduct the service.
Marais leaves behind his mother, Nicolene Kotzé, stepfather Mac Kotzé, father Marius Marais, stepmother Rina Marais, brothers Quintin Marais (20) and Christiaan Kotzé (7).
- The police confirmed that a complaint of murder is being investigated and that no one has yet been arrested in connection with the murder. At least three people were killed in three separate robberies in Kroonstad in September this year. VrystaatKroon earlier reported that people were attacked in two of the robberies by a gang who demanded mobile phones and money from their victims.
