More Violence
White couple brutally murdered in Karoi

7^th February 2003

AN elderly couple, Vim and Freda Pottermans, was brutally murdered on Wednesday afternoon by unknown assailants at their home in Karoi.

The double murder came two weeks after the couple's house had been broken into and property worth thousands of dollars stolen.

According to Andrew Herbst, a family friend who was at the crime scene, the couple's bodies were discovered in a pool of blood in a passage in the house.

Herbst said: ''Vim was about 72 and a retired mechanic while Freda, his wife, was 63. ''They were beaten to death. Their faces were bludgeoned and there was blood everywhere. It was a horrible sight. When we got to the house, Vim was still alive, but fighting for his life. Unfortunately, he died as soon as the ambulance arrived.''

He said their bodies were taken to Chinhoyi for an autopsy. He said: ''There were blood trails from the lounge, suggesting they could have been beaten there and then dragged into the corridor. Freda still had a tie around her neck, suggesting she was strangled. This is really terrible.''

He said the couple had been living in Zimbabwe for the past 36 years. The murder came at a time when the government has assured the international community that Zimbabwe remains a safe destination for tourists ahead of the World Cup Cricket matches next week.

Zimbabwe is co-hosting the event with South Africa and Kenya.

Inspector Khumalo at Karoi Police Station confirmed the gruesome murder, saying he had sent a report on the incident to Police General Headquarters in Harare.

But Wayne Bvudzijena, the chief police spokesperson, declined to comment. Fearing for their safety, Karoi residents called for a meeting with the police. Never Gasho, a former councillor for Ward 8, said Karoi residents were shocked at the rise of crime in the small town.

''We have called for a meeting with the police because we are no longer safe,'' he said. ''The level of crime has risen in Karoi and the police are not reacting positively to this. ''Imagine a murder taking place in broad daylight. We are saddened by this unfortunate incident. The law must take its course before anyone else gets hurt or killed.''

Meanwhile, siblings Elizabeth, 76, and David Phelps, 68, were brutally murdered this week by suspected robbers who stole property from their home in Harare's Avondale West suburb.

Neighbours said the assailants broke a window through which they gained entry into the house.