Martie Vos - 27 December 2000, Victim of Crime in South Africa.

 

Afrikaner widow slowly tortured to death -- due to security guard strike

 PRETORIA. Dec. 27. A 59-year-old Afrikaner widow, Martie Vos, was murdered by slow torture this Christmas weekend because the permanent security guards at the Larmenier Retirement Centre are on strike and the temporary guard had failed to notice anything unusual while she was being assaulted.

Capt. Johan Coetzer, detective at the Brooklyn police station, said the attackers had entered a dining room window, unnoticed by the temporary guard.

The crime scene was described as "horrifying" by the police, who said Mrs Vos had clearly been stabbed, tortured and strangled slowly -- and probably also been raped. The forensic examination will take place today. Her fingertips had been cut off.

Eight trade unions representing about 85,000 security guards countrywide had launched the national strike on December 17 after failed salary negotiations with employers' organisations under the guidance of the arbitration commission. They demand a 50-hour work week, a monthly salary increase to R1,300 for E-class guards, extras pay for night duty and cleaning services, three months paid maternity leave and seven days maternity leave for new fathers.

The SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu)- led strike has already resulted in widespread violence -- with strikers beating up non-striking colleagues and journalists as not all the trade unions are participating.

Police inspector Errol Els said the temporary guard had been unfamiliar with the job -- he had never worked at the centre before -- and had not noticed anything unusual. No guards had been posted at the security gates.

Mrs Vos leaves her daughter and son-in-law. Police asked anyone who might have noticed something, to contact them at 083-442-8576.

 

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