Cape Town - Police have confirmed that the 18-year-old murder accused arrested in connection with magistrate Romay van Rooyen's killing, is a relative.
Cassidy Hartzenberg made his first court appearance in the Simon's Town Magistrates Court on Thursday after he was traced and arrested following a multi-disciplinary investigation conducted by the Hawks Serious Crimes Unit.
Hartzenberg was arrested on Tuesday in Mitchells Plain.
Police Minister Bheki Cele who attended the court appearance said they were confident they had found the right suspect and that the case against Hartzenberg "is tight".
"While it's good that somebody has been arrested, it's a pity that it is a relative of the deceased.
"We believe that we have found the correct person as it was said in court that we have a prima facie case against the accused. Investigations are continuing," said Cele.
Hartzenberg, who has applied for bail, attended the funeral of Van Rooyen and was one of the pallbearers.
The matter was postponed to October 6 for further bail information.
The 50-year-old Vredenburg magistrate was found dead in her Marina Da Gama home on Saturday, September 11 and her vehicle was missing.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale had said Hartzenberg was traced and arrested at his home in Mitchells Plain, in a multi-disciplinary operation comprising of the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State, National Priority Violent Crime Investigation, Digital Forensic Investigation and Priority Crime Management Centre.
Van Rooyen's stolen vehicle was recovered in Mitchells Plain.
Cape Times