SOUTH AFRICA: Businessman Kills Tenant, Commits Suicide

A search for a missing cat ended in a murder suicide of two businessmen that has rocked a small farming community on the Cape Flats.

A dad of two was shot and killed in front of his children by his former landlord, who then turned the gun on himself.

Ziegfried Petzer, 36, had been looking for his cat with his children, aged 11 and 14, along Schaapkraal Road when he was confronted by John Vorster, 72, on Friday night.

Vorster had been the owner of the Cape Town Carriage Company, a horse and cart outfit, while Ziegfried was the owner of Delta Security firm.

Ziegfred and his fiance, Vicky Stoltz, had been Vorster’s tenants for a year but had moved into their own home about a month ago.

The children explained that Vorster and his girlfriend, Marlene, drove past.

Vorster had jumped out of the car and shouted at Ziegfred before shooting.

“Zieg had admired Vorster and had a lot of respect for him,” Vicky says.

“The children say Marlene drove the bakkie and Vorster got out and was shouting “what are you looking for on my farm”.

Apparently another woman living on the farm had called Vorster and said Zieg was breaking into the house.

A heartbroken Vicky says: “Zieg wasn’t even on Vorster’s property but next door.”

Vorster then left the scene and apparently shot himself at his home.

Marlene told weekend newspapers that Ziegfried had owed Vorster money.

The elderly man apparently thought Zieg was reaching for “something” when he shot him.

But a female friend of the couple claims Vorster had become “irrational” recently.

“We were friends for 30 years and a month ago he also started swearing at me,” she said.

Constable Noloyiso Rwexana says a murder and inquest docket has been opened for investigation.