On 18 February the family and friends said their goodbyes to Charlotte Fenn (67), at Word of Life Church, Arconpark, and they celebrated her life. It was a brutal murder assault with a gunshot to the head. The murderer and accomplices were her son Grant Du Toit (46) a former drug addict, and the renters who rent from her, Linday Kirton (31) and Quintin Edgar (52). It is alleged that they were behind with rent, and this fueled the urgency to get money. It all started end of December beginning of January when the renters moved from Witbank to their new home at one of Fenn's properties.
Kirton told Fenn about a trailer fully equipped with gardening service gear, for a bargain which her brother wanted to sell. The brother is from Lydenburg. Fenn needed to give them R4000 to get from Lydenburg to the Vaal. The brother allegedly was in an accident and a few days later he passed on. Kirton and Edgar said they needed more money because of the funeral they must attend to. She gave them another R5000 which brings us to R9000 for a trailer. They said because they are going to the funeral they will bring the trailer with them with their Opel Cadette. After the funeral, they came back with no trailer. Their excuse was that the trailer was too heavy for the Opel Cadette. A week after the trailer would have come by truck. Gert would have gone with Fenn to fetch the trailer, but when they got to know that she would not come alone, there was another story of the tuck having a breakdown. Yet, again no trailer. It was always a possibility that she would have to get the trailer on the R59 to hook off and on. On Thursday 2 February when Fenn went missing, the trailer allegedly arrived on the R59 where the drop-off was arranged. There was never a trailer. The plan was to get more money out of Charlotte.
Belrex security cameras caught the Kia Truck going in the direction of Parys. There was only one white male in the Kia Truck. Trailing the Kia Truck was the Opel Cadette. On a dirt road between Sasol and Parys, the Kia truck was torched. Coming back the Belrex security cameras confirmed the Opel Cadette's return and no Kia Truck.
Her body was found Monday 6 February 2023, with one gunshot from the left side of her head exiting from the front right of her face. A man who walked down the path found her body next to the railway tracks in the grass between Three Rivers and Redan, she was not covered with black bags. The man alerted the SAPS. The murder scene and the crime scene are in the same area close to each other. The police had Du Toit in custody at this time. He gave Kriton and Edgar up as he confessed that they had a part in Fenn's murder.
On Friday 20 February they got arrested and put in custody. All the evidence has been found against them except for the murder weapon, which was a handgun. Du Toit nor Kirton or Edgar have registered firearms. From the murder scene to the house and the Kia Truck, was searched for her handgun, but the murder weapon is still missing. The cases against the three suspects: Robbery, theft, kidnapping, murder, pre-meditated murder, and arson. There were a few break-ins at Fenn's house and the rental house.
Du Toit, Krirton, and Edgar will be in court on Thursday 23 February 2023. Du Toit's representative Jaco van Heerden from Legal Aid has postponed the bail hearing because he wants access to the evidence and files. The bail hearing will be next week. A date will be given on Thursday depending on the outcome of this hearing. Edgar's representative is Willem Smith, and Kriton's representative will be Tanya Barnard.
She had a small funeral and was cremated. Only close family and friends were there. She was loved by her family. It is great to hear that she had a great relationship with Jesus Christ. Her daughter Lorraine Venter gave a few words, just saying that she loves her mom, she was a good mom and she needs to rest in peace. A word from Pastor Jordan Heathcote, John 14:1-4 I am preparing a place for you. There is a deep sense of sadness, but knowing that she is safe with the Lord. She was outlived by her two daughters Lorraine Venter and Renee Gericke, son Grant du Toit, and grandchildren with family and friends. Her legacy will live long in the hearts of the community, she was loved by all and had a good heart to help where it was possible.