After searching three years, family discover Fisantekraal woman was murdered
Cape Town - Eva Steenkamp said her sister Jacobi Marais vanished without a trace shortly after a tragic accident claimed their parents and six other family members. With the help of the organisation Track n Trace, Steenkamp has now discovered that her sister was murdered and buried as an unknown.
In 2021, Marais of Fisantekraal vanished without a trace. At first family members believed she was living with her boyfriend in Scottsdene, Kraaifontein as she had lived as a drifter and did not suspect foul play.
Marais and her family suffered tragedy in 2018, when both of their parents, including their sister, died in a car crash in Britstown, Northern Cape, while they travelled to a funeral.
A week ago Steenkamp, who did not give up hope searching for her, had approached Track n Trace for assistance.
Steenkamp sadly discovered her sister had died in April 2022 after being stabbed during an apparent altercation with a 33-year-old woman, who has since appeared at the Blue Downs Magistrates' Court.
Steenkamp said after her sister died, police visited an old address in Fisantekraal where the family no longer lived.
“My sister used to come home for visits and the last time we saw her was in 2021,” she said.
“She would always be staying at her boyfriend, but afterwards we thought she has been gone for too long.
“I found out she had been using the name Bianca when I visited Scottsdene, the laane (the avenues) where a woman recognised her photograph and said she had died in 2022 and that we must visit the police station.
“The police confirmed they had gone to the address but that no one recognised her photograph and we had moved from there.
“We were told she was buried and that it would take a process of DNA testing and a court application to have the body exhumed.
“We have lost our sister and our parents and now another sister, it is only myself and another sister that is left.”
Steenkamp said it had been Track n Trace's Chaz Thomas who steered her into the right direction.
The organisation searches for missing persons and focuses on cold cases.
Thomas told Weekend Argus more had to be done to identify deceased persons.
“The police together with forensics do not do enough to find the unknown person's family,” she said.
“If forensics worked closely with us as the missing persons organisation, it would be easier and we would find the person quicker.
“If we work together with the police, a task team for missing persons must be implemented.
“The docket is just opened and a few detectives go out of their way to help find the person or the families.”
Police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk said a suspect arrested for Marais case was charged with her murder and that she was finally identified.
“This office can confirm a murder case is under investigation by Kraaifontein SAPS detectives,' he explained.
“According to reports the victim at the time of the incident was only known as Bianca and fingerprints were taken for identification purposes. The victim was then identified as Jacobi Marias of Fisantekraal.
“The address given to SAPS in Fisantekraal was visited but no family members could be traced.
“A 33 year old woman was arrested and her first appearance was on 19 April 2022 at Blue Downs Magistrate's court. Her next court appearance will be on 25 February 2025. Be advised that Jacobi Marias was not reported missing at SAPS Kraaifontein.”
Anyone with further information about this incident is kindly requested to contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Magqesha on 021 980 5558 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MYSAPS application to share information anonymously.