Staples John

John Staples, aged 79, was a retired motor mechanic who lived alone on a smallholding in the Roodepoort smallholdings outside Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng. Three suspected robbers entered his house, apparently after forcing open a door, and confronted Staples while he was in bed. He was beaten with an object and died from the assault. His firearm was missing after the attack, and his wallet had been emptied. His daughter, Elise van der Walt, said the attackers may have forced him to open his safe, although the family was initially uncertain exactly what property had been taken. His son-in-law, Sarel van der Walt, said the precise circumstances were still being investigated immediately after the murder.