House Chairperson, the ACDP has noted with sadness the brutal killing of a nun from the Netherlands, who arrived in South Africa around 2004 with a vision to help children and youth in need. What is even more devastating is that this foreign nun, Reita van Vuljk, was bashed to death with a four-pound hammer and her body thrown over a cliff, allegedly by three men she regularly fed and cared for.
The three men allegedly forced their way into her house and demanded cash, which Reita did not have. They then ransacked the house, stole some household items, attempted to suffocate her, then placed her unconscious body in her white Toyota Hilux and drove off. Less than 10 kilometers from her house, the suspects allegedly struck Reita's head with a hammer and then threw her body over the cliff.
According to community members, Reita often gave the suspects odd jobs around her house and taught them to drive. Furthermore, they said Reita used to feed and care for them, but in the end they brutally killed a loving and caring woman who had left her own country to come and provide nourishing meals and education to poor people, mainly Aids orphans, in our country.
The ACDP strongly condemns the brutal killing of Reita and calls on the police to give this murder case to one of their most experienced detectives to investigate. On behalf of the ACDP and all peace-loving South Africans, we convey our most sincere condolences to Reita's family, all her friends and the people of the Netherlands.