/ 5 November 2007

Two more arrested for crime reporter’s murder

Two more men have been arrested in connection with the murder of former crime journalist Elaine Anderson, police said on Monday.

This brings the total number of arrests to three.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Henry Budhram said the two men -‒ aged 24 and 33 — were nabbed by police on Saturday in the Ntoubeni area in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, after intensive investigations.

Elaine Anderson — a former crime reporter for the Witness newspaper — had attended church and was leaving in her car in October when she was confronted by two armed men in Otto’s Bluff Road.

After shooting Anderson, the men then attempted to hijack another vehicle further down the road.

The driver of the car, Patricia Kippen, had also just been to church, and was shot twice in the head.

Despite being shot, Kippen, tried to escape but drove into a ditch.

Anderson had been shot twice and was declared dead at the scene.

Kippen was rushed to hospital but died shortly after arrival.

A 22-year-old man was arrested days later in connection with the crime and the matter is still pending in court.

During the arrests on Saturday, police said they had found a weapon.

”A 9mm firearm was also confiscated and police believe this could be the murder weapon,” said Budhram.

The suspects were expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg magistrate’s court on Monday, police said. – Sapa