Cops told to leave no stone unturned

LEIGH Matthews ... news of the 21-year-old student’s murder has attracted massive media coverage and compassion for her family.

POLICE should “leave no stone unturned” in tracking down the killers of kidnapped student Leigh Matthews,Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula instructed today (Thursday).

The young woman’s naked body was found dumped in a field south of Johannesburg yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

Nqakula’s spokesman, Matthew Moonieya, said this morning (Thursday) the minister’s reaction to news of the murder, which has attracted massive media coverage, is “obviously one of shock, and compassion for the family”.

“He has given instructions to the police force to leave no stone unturned in bringing those responsible to book.”

Meanwhile, Johannesburg police said a post mortem would be conducted today (Thursday) to determine exactly how she died.

She was last seen on her way to the Bond University in Sandton, on Friday, July 9, and the alarm was raised when she did not meet her mother as planned to discuss preparations for her 21st birthday party the following night.

Matthews was reportedly shot but Johannesburg police spokesman Superintendent Chris Wilken issued a statement urging the media to stop speculating about the causes of her death.

Reports have included that her body had been lying in the field for five days.

“This is pure speculation and places unnecessary pressure on the family while they need time and space to peacefully mourn and overcome their tragic loss,” Wilken said.

He confirmed there were wounds on the body but would not provide further details until the post mortem was completed.

Meanwhile, Bond University said it had reviewed its security measures following Matthews’ kidnap.

They had increased the number of guards on campus and “already security is very visible” spokesman Taryn Proksch said.

Proksch said the entire campus was affected.

“We are a close-knit university, everyone talks about it, obviously it affects us all,” she said.

Students and lecturers had set up a memorial for Matthews, and candles, flowers and pictures of her had been placed at the entrance to the reception area and students could also sign a memorial book.

Pro vice-chancellor Dolina Dowling said in a statement: “We are devastated by this news. Our hearts go out to the Matthews family at this time.”

A close friend and classmate of the student tearfully said: “I am so sad, I just can’t talk about it, I can’t.”

Gauteng’s MEC for community safety, Firoz Cachalia, said he had held onto the hope that Leigh would be returned.

“One cannot fathom what leads human beings to commit such heinous crimes against one another,” Cachalia said.

Expressing condolences to her family, he said the department would channel its energies into apprehending and prosecuting the killers.

Earlier the ANC said the “sick” people responsible for her death must be tracked down.

“We must find a way to deal with this and we must be committed to weeding out these elements. We can’t unite as a nation if these sick elements are in our midst,” said spokesman Smuts Ngonyama.

The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) said it was concerned that kidnapping for ransom added a “dangerous new dimension” to crime.

“This sort of thing, if not nipped in the bud, could result in the daily kidnapping of citizens in this country making a living out of ransom or murdering,” a spokesman said.

Gareth Newham, a project co-ordinator at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, agreed with Ngonyama that Matthews’ murder might affect national unity as it would make people less willing to meet new people and go to new areas.

Those who could afford it would increase their security measures. Others would want to buy guns, and parents would not want their children to play in the streets.

He added the “sad outcome” of Matthews’ kidnap and murder was that it would make kidnap a more risky option for criminal due to the high-profile media exposure of this case.

Kidnappers would realise that victims’ families would not heed instructions to not phone the police because they would see that it did not help.

Matthews family said they had kept to all the kidnappers’ demands, which included that they drop off the ransom without involving the police. – Sapa

 

Leigh died from gunshot wounds

THE area where the body of kidnap victim Leigh Matthews, inset, was found. Detectives confirmed today (Friday) that she had been shot dead.

JOHANNESBURG detectives confirmed topday (Friday) that kidnapped student Leigh Matthews was shot dead, a spokesman said.

“The preliminary autopsy report said that she died as a result of gunshot wounds to her body,” Inspector Amanda Roestoff said.

She would not elaborate on where or how many times, saying this would jeopardise investigations.

“We are hoping to make a breakthrough,” Roestoff said, adding that police had completed a thorough examination of the veld in Walkerville Manor, south of Johannesburg, where a grass cutter found Matthews’ body on Wednesday.

“We have our top people investigating it,” said Roestoff.

She said that Gabriel Hall, the officer leading the investigation, was also able to consult with top murder investigator Piet Beyleveld, as the two worked in the same unit.

Matthews was kidnapped two weeks ago, a day after her 21st birthday, and, in spite of her father meeting ransom demands, she was murdered.

Earlier Hall said: “There have been no arrests.”

Meanwhile, messages continued to pour in on the www.findleighmatthews.co.za website, with well-wishers extending their sympathies to her grieving parents and sister.

Yesterday (Thursday) the family launched a trust fund in their daughter’s name, with the proceeds going to the Johannesburg serious and violent crimes unit of the police. – Sapa.

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