CAPE Town residents are gripped with shock after a magistrate was murdered in her house over the weekend. Magistrate Romay van Rooyen, a former prosecutor, was found dead in her Marina Da Gama house on Saturday, 10 September.
Cops said her vehicle was found dumped in Mitchells Plain.
Police spokesman Sergeant Wesley Twigg said the circumstances surrounding the murder were being investigated.
“The circumstances surrounding the death of a 50-year-old female in Red Roman Street, Marina Da Gama on Saturday afternoon at about 4.15pm, are under investigation.
“According to reports, the victim was found in her house by a family member. The victim was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel,” said Twigg.
He said that Muizenberg police registered a murder case for investigation.
“It was established during the investigation on the crime scene that the victim’s vehicle was missing. The unknown suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. The stolen vehicle was recovered in Mitchells Plain. Anyone with any information about this incident is kindly requested to contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111,” said Twigg.
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has expressed his sadness about the developments and called for the killers to be brought to book.
“The safety of our judicial officers remains an utmost priority. Magistrate Van Rooyen’s untimely passing is a devastating loss to our judiciary and our courts. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends and colleagues,” said the minister.
The department said Van Rooyen started her career as a prosecutor in 1997, prosecuting in the district and regional courts before becoming a state advocate in the Western Cape High Court.
She became an acting magistrate in 2016 where she presided at various magistrates courts in the Western Cape and was, with effect from 1 October last year, permanently appointed as an additional magistrate for the Vredenburg Magistrates Court.
