Western Cape Police Service released a statement saying that they are offering a R100 000 reward for information that will lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the suspect(s) responsible for the murder of two elderly persons, Rosalie Bloch (84) and Aubrey Jackson (95).
It was reported that they were tied up and murdered in their Cape Town home on May 5, 2018, during a house robbery, said Col Andrè Traut. Police reportedly initially offered a R60 000 reward last March.
Bloch was an active member of the Black Sash, the Women’s Peace Movement and the Detainees Parents Support Committee in the 1970s and 1980s.
Reports stated that tributes were delivered by, among others, former finance minister Trevor Manuel, who said he frequented the murdered couple’s home.
“We came into the house as part of a group of crazy 30-something-year-old activists who believed we could change the world,” Mr. Manuel said.
He continued, “We were tolerated in the most amazing fashion by Rosalie in that home for meetings. People like ourselves from the [Cape] Flats had never seen the splendour of the house and the door was always open to us. Aubrey and Rosalie were not rich and did not spend their lives gathering material stuff. They worked with youth on the Cape Flats. They are defined by the exemplary lives they led. These were heinous acts and we call for justice to be done.”
The ANC reportedly extended its condolences to the pair’s families that same year, condemning “the cowardly act on the defenseless and elderly”.
“It is disheartening to note that we still have among us‚ those who are determined to trample on other people’s right to live, driven by selfish and cruel intentions,” said the ANC. Urging police to find the culprits, the party added, “We further call on all South Africans to act in concert to ensure that criminals have nowhere to hide wherever they seek refuge.”
Anyone with information who can assist the investigation is kindly requested to contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Kevin Kok on 064 352 5493 or alternatively Crime Stop can be contacted on 08600 10111.
