This might not be the correct platform to make this comment of praise but I feel it necessary – please pass this on to all the relevant officials.
As a veteran of more than 40 years’ police service I want to use this opportunity to congratulate Advocate van Wyk of the NPA and Captain Odendaal for their painstaking and detailed preparation of the murder case which is at present before the court.
First of all, to you Captain Odendaal, and the various members of the respective units that were on the scene who performed their duties with the utmost proficiency and professionalism in the collection and preservation of evidence.
Furthermore, Captain Odendaal, to you and the members involved in tracing the accused in a very professional manner, I applaud you all to this end. Personally I have never attended this murder trial nor had insight into the case docket and my observation are all from the media reports.
Advocate van Wyk for his method of questioning the accused, which does not come out of the textbook – his thoughts are “outside the box.” Advocate van Wyk, you could not have achieved this line of questioning without a little assistance from the very close relationship, which regrettably is seldom present these days in serious cases of this nature, between yourself and Captain Odendaal. (Team work is essential at all levels of an investigation of this serious nature).
Captain Odendaal, even at this stage of the trial you will be certain of a conviction on all the counts presented to the court and to you, sir, Advocate van Wyk, I too have the same certainty that you will achieve the required sentence that you set out to accomplished.
I salute all who were involved, from securing and preserving the scene, in the arrests of the accused and in bringing this case to the conclusion they envisaged. I am also a pensioner residing not far from this scene of crime and can say personally, I am very proud of your achievement and thank you to all.
Captain Odendaal, I also know the feeling of satisfaction that solving a case such as this brings, especially where the elderly are victims of an horrific crime such as this, irrespective of race, as I personally have been there, done that, and got the T-shirt (which I framed) that my colleagues handed to me on the day of my retirement. It is at present hanging on the wall in my study.
Excellent work done such as this, is a rarity in today’s judicial and policing environment.
