A well-known former rugby and cricketer from Potchefstroom’s body was found in his house in the town on Tuesday. He was found with two gunshot wounds to his neck.
Capt. Aafje Botma, spokesperson for the police, confirmed that the body of the 74-year-old Sias Willemse was found in his house in Bailliepark in Potchefstroom in the late afternoon.
“We can confirm that he had two gunshot wounds in his neck. Several ties were also tied around his neck. “
According to Botma, the police forensic team was on the scene until late at night.
“A murder case has been opened at this stage, but it may still change.”
Botma says the police have not yet been able to determine what is missing in the house. She says Willemse’s safe was found open, but it does not seem to have been forced open.
“Several hunting rifles were found in the safe. We can not yet say whether other firearms are missing from the safe. “
Willemse is described as a “great rugby spirit and avid cricketer” and a true “Potch legend”. He is a former Puk and Western Transvaal cricketer. He also represented the Potch-Village rugby club on the day as a keen player on the field.
The Potchefstroom Town Rugby Club and SupaRugby rugby group expressed their condolences to Willemse’s family and friends on Facebook.
“We say goodbye to Oom Sias and will always remember Oom,” reads the entry of the Potchefstroom Dorp Rugby Club.
Compassion from old school friends of Willemse flooded in on Facebook.
“He was a fantastic sportsman, brilliant rugby as well as a cricketer. We were together in Volkskool Potchefstroom, and together in the Jack Pauw residence. He also later played rugby for Potch-Dorp together and his wife achieved Springbok clothes in netball. His daughter was also a brilliant sportswoman. Sias, you’re going to miss my mate. I had an awful lot of respect for you, ”writes an old school friend of his.
