On the 5 November 2022, the community of Alheit near Kakamas was shocked by the disappearance of five-year-old Shane Basson. A full scale search was launched during which the area surrounding Alheit was searched but the missing Shane could not be found.
On 21 November 2022 the decomposed body of a little girl was found, who was later identified as the five-year-old Shane Basson. Her decomposed body was found in veld in the vicinity of Alheit.
Warrant Officer Clifford Esterhuyse of Kakamas Detectives through thorough investigation identified the suspect and the 37-year-old, Jan Heyns of Alheit was arrested at his house in Alheit in the evening of the 21 November 2022.
The suspect who remained in custody in Upington since the date of his arrest.
On 14 September 2023, the accused Jan Heyns (37) was found guilty on a charge of rape and murder and subsequently received two life sentences handed down in the High Court in Upington.
The State Prosecutor in the case was Advocate Kruger of the NPA.
Major General Thabo Mphuthi, the District Commissioner of ZFM applauded the hard work by Warrant Officer Esterhuyse and the team working with him that led to the arrest, conviction and sentence of the offender.
Source: South Africa Police Service