No-one could believe Monday’s news: police had found Ounooi Badenhorst, 77, murdered in her home in Smithfield. She had been a strong community leader who had headed the local residents’ association and she was much respected in the whole community.

At lunchtime today people gathered outside her home. The crowd, black and white, spilled across the road with cars and police vans parked far down both sides of the street. Speakers used a bakkie from which to address the neighbours, farmers, friends, community residents, who came to express their shock and outrage. Our local police chief said as of yesterday they might have information that could help solve the crime.

People gather outside the Badenhorst home

Speakers stood on the back of a bakkie

Police hope they have a strong lead

This woman pleaded for everyone, black and white, to work together against crime