We now know two things about Parys, that town up there in the Free State. Firstly it is the spiritual home of the Leeuloop, that catchy song that even the Souties couldn’t help humming around the braai a few years back. Thanks, Robbie Wessels.

Secondly, if you owe money to one of the locals, you best be settling your debts promptly. It has come to light that a father, his two sons and two of their friends are being held in connection with the murder of a local businessman, Craig Marx,  who reportedly owed them R10 000.

When questioned about the murder the father originally blamed al-Qaeda, accusing Marx of being involved in a drug syndicate. I would be somewhat surprised if Parys was a hotbed of terrorist activity, although the warmer climate would be welcoming.

news24, however,  report the following:

“On 4 December, Marx was travelling in his vehicle when he was apparently ambushed by the group – whom had previously done renovations for him.

The father – who owed Marx R10 000, his sons, aged 17 and 21 respectively, as well as their friends, 17 and 19, then allegedly used a shock device to paralyse Marx.

The businessman was then assaulted with a metal pipe before being wrapped in plastic and bound with ropes and adhesive tape.”

His body was then dumped in a stormwater pipe 15km outside of Parys, where the alleged murderers were caught on CCTV footage buying cooldrinks at a garage. One of Marx’s business accounts also had R20 000 withdrawn.

The five accused will appear in court this week, although proceedings will be behind closed doors for the minors involved. Here’s hoping justice prevails and Parys can go back to being known as the place of ‘tennis balle, krieket balle, snooker balle’…