Family awaits high‑court trial of Knysna mother’s boyfriend after web searches surfaced

Velia Strydom’s family say they will attend the high‑court trial of her boyfriend after he was charged with her murder and police allegedly found disturbing internet searches on his phone, according to IOL.

What happened

According to IOL, Strydom was strangled to death at a flat in Trotter Street, Knysna, in December. Her body was allegedly wrapped in a sheet, placed in a borrowed vehicle and dumped in bushes near the Red Bridge, where it remained for six days. Police later found her about 13 days before Christmas.

Arrest and charges

IOL reports that 40‑year‑old Mervyn Bock was arrested and charged with murder and defeating the ends of justice. He was denied bail and pleaded not guilty. The matter was transferred to the high court for trial earlier this month and the case returns to court on August 5, IOL says.

Evidence cited at bail hearing

At Bock’s bail application, Detective Sergeant Mqondisi Dyani told the Knysna Magistrate’s Court that CCTV footage showed Bock entering his flat with Strydom on the night in question and leaving alone the next day. CCTV footage also allegedly showed him returning in a borrowed vehicle carrying what appeared to be a body and loading it inside, IOL reports.

IOL states that when police arrested Bock on New Year’s Day, officers seized his phone and allegedly found internet searches including: “how long will it take to heal from strangulation”, “how long does the body take to get cold after being dead” and “people who get away with murder”. Dyani’s affidavit was cited in court documents, according to IOL.

Post‑mortem and possible further charges

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Chris Spies told IOL that a post‑mortem had been conducted to establish the cause of death and that the outstanding autopsy report formed part of the murder investigation. “The outstanding autopsy report forms part of the murder investigation and more charges could be added as the investigation unfolds,” Spies said, IOL reports.

The family’s loss

According to IOL, Strydom had excitedly planned her 40th birthday herself, using a teal and rose gold theme and placing Proverbs 11:16 on little scrolls on every table. Her family told IOL they could not open her coffin to say goodbye because of the state of her body.

IOL reports that seven months after her death Strydom’s four children were scattered in different parts of the country. The youngest is 12. The two youngest boys are being raised by their grandmother; the 17‑year‑old is at boarding school during the week; the second eldest is studying to become a teacher in Bloemfontein; and the eldest recently qualified as a nurse.

Family spokesperson Warrick Langisa gave IOL a series of personal recollections about Strydom, including:

“She loved her kids more than anything on this planet.”

and

“She had the most contagious laugh and smile.”

Langisa also told IOL that Strydom had dreamed of reopening a creche for underprivileged and special needs children, like the one she once ran in Kariega.

Family plea for justice

As reported by IOL, the family asked that “Velia’s voice be heard through this trial” and said they intended to attend court “as much as possible to see the trial through.” Langisa told IOL the family’s only request was that the trial be fair and that the truth come out so “Velia gets the justice she deserves.”