[imagesource:here]

I don’t imagine Krugersdorp is often rocked by a string of murders linked to a network of serial killers, and the closer you look the stranger the story becomes.

Between November 2015 and June last year, a number of murders occurred in the West Rand town, leading the Sunday Times to ask “Is the devil alive and well in Krugersdorp?”

The body count stands at seven, and six people have so far been arrested in connection with the murders. The trial will start in October at the High Court in Johannesburg, and here are a few facts to set the ball rolling:

The accused include a popular high school teacher, her two children and an insurance broker who graduated cum laude and worked for several large national companies.

Among the victims are unsuspecting professionals who were allegedly lured to their death by a group who posed as prospective clients. Police sources claim their sole motive was money — a fact they say is almost unprecedented in serial killers.

[You can see where the bodies were found below]

High school teacher Marinda Steyn, 50, and her children, Le Roux, 21, and Marcel, 18, will face seven counts of murder alongside Cecilia Steyn, 35, who is no relation, and Zak Valentine, 32. The charges include murder, aggravated robbery, fraud, organised crime and obstruction of justice. They have yet to plead.

A sixth person, John Barnard, 40, was tried separately for the same crimes and sentenced to 30 years. Ten years were suspended on condition that he testify against the other accused.

In the image up top, with everyone looking decidedly evil, you can see from left, Cecilia Steyn, Zak Valentine, Marinda Steyn and Mikeila Valentine (who was murdered in an occult-related killing), with Marcel Steyn in the bottom right inset.

Then this below (via Krugersdorp News) from a prior court appearance – from left: the accused, Zak Valentine with Cecilia, Marinda, Leroux and Marcel Steyn:

Now you can find a full account of each murder HERE, but we’re going to skip ahead to high school teacher Marinda Steyn’s story:

A staff member at Hoërskool Jan de Klerk, where Marinda taught, told the Sunday Times this week that Marinda got on well with other staff members and always did her work on time.

“There was nothing peculiar or strange about her behaviour,” the staffer said..

The staff were apparently very supportive of her at first, but this changed when the police discovered ammunition in her classroom, the source said.

The ammunition was hidden in a stove in Marinda’s classroom, which had been previously used for home economics.

If their prior court appearances are anything to go by, the accused won’t be showing much remorse:

Among those who have attended court proceedings is Celia Scholefield, the daughter-in-law of one of the victims.

“They laugh, joke and pull faces in court. It’s like they’re mocking us. Our lives will never be the same,” she said.

It appears the alleged serial killers may be responsible for other murders, too. Back in 2012 two members of the Overcomers Through Christ church were found murdered, and less than a month later the church’s pastor was found with his throat slit.

Mikeila Valentine, the seventh murder charge they face (along with the six that took place between November 2015 and June 2016) and wife of accused Zak, was found stabbed to death in her home in October 2012.

Given the scale and nature of their alleged crimes, you can bet the trial in October is going to be worth taking a close look at.

[sources:sundaytimes&pressreader]