WHEN his body was found burnt beyond recognition in his car, everyone was devastated.
Then cops smelled a rat when his friends went to cash in his R3,6-million life insurance policy.
AND THEN THE SHOCKING TRUTH EMER- GED . . . THIS “DEAD” 31-YEAR-OLD WAS ALIVE AND WELL!
The 31-year-old from Krugersdorp in Mogale City was bust on Saturday.
A day later a high school teacher and another woman, both believed to be close friends of the suspect, were also arrested.
The spokeswoman for the Krugersdorp police, Captain Appel Ernst, said it was believed the suspect faked his own death in Petrus Steyn, Free State in December.
The two other suspects then allegedly tried to claim his life insurance.
“Police arrested the suspect in Free State and he was brought back to Krugersdorp Police Station for questioning,” Captain Ernst said.
“Police in Petrus Steyn are investigating a murder case, since a body was found in his car.
“The two other suspects, aged 25 and 50, were arrested on Sunday.”
She said police started investigating the case after the man’s death was reported to the insurance company and also to the
police.
Ernst said the SAPS and the insurance company became suspicious when they noticed there were “holes” in the reported case.
“After some days a burnt body was found in Free State. It was claimed the body belonged to the suspect, but DNA could not link him to it.”
Another man was reported missing by his family in December. It is believed that man was a friend of the suspect and they were last seen leaving together after the suspect picked him up in his car.
His family never saw him again – until the police identified him through DNA testing.
“The suspect was arrested in Mogale City, where he was living under a false name,” Ernst said.
A source told Daily Sun that the man’s wife, who had been on the same policy, died recently in mysterious circumstances. The police, however, did not want to comment on the matter.
The suspect is facing charges of culpable homicide and fraud.
The two other suspects appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates Court on Monday on a fraud charge and were denied bail. They are due to appear in court again next week.
