Aliwal North Farmer's Wife Faces Court in Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot

In a story that has captured the attention of the Eastern Cape community, Anelle de Bruin, 46, stood before the magistrate once more on Wednesday in Maletswai, a part of Aliwal North. De Bruin is accused of orchestrating a Cold and chilling plan to murder her husband, a well-known local farmer, under the guise of a violent farm attack.

The case, which has been postponed until April 23, sees De Bruin currently out on a R2000 bail following her initial court appearance on January 17. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) cited the need for additional time to gather further evidence, including outstanding statements, photo albums, and crucial cell phone records, as the reason for the delay. Luxolo Tyali, the NPA regional spokesperson, highlighted the necessity of these items to build a robust case against De Bruin.

The investigation took a pivotal turn on January 9, when De Bruin was arrested after a middleman alerted the police about her attempts to hire hitmen to carry out the murder. According to Tyali, De Bruin was purportedly recorded detailing her plan, which included not only the assassination of her 56-year-old husband but also the orchestrated shooting of their dogs and family vehicle tyres to imitate a typical farm attack. This, she believed, would mislead authorities and local farmers, potentially delaying any immediate response to their remote farmland location.

More unnervingly, Tyali revealed that De Bruin had detailed knowledge of the time it would take for neighboring farmers to reach them, indicating a calculated manipulation of local response protocols. Moreover, her motive may include a significant financial gain, as she stood to inherit millions from her husband’s estate upon his death.

This case underscores a grave concern within the South African farming community, where tensions and fears regarding farm attacks are prevalent. The NPA has expressed a stern commitment to vigorously pursuing this case, emphasizing the critical importance of ensuring justice and maintaining the safety and well-being of the community. As the case unfolds, it will surely continue to garner significant attention, both locally and nationally, as it touches upon issues of crime, trust, and the safety of the farming community in South Africa.