Cape Town - Veteran journalist and author Max du Preez has confirmed that the young woman whose body was found with that of a Stellenbosch University student in his vehicle submerged in a quarry in the town on Monday was his granddaughter.
He described Lela Lees, 18, as “loving, warm and vivacious”, and wished there were more people like her.
“How does a mother come to terms with the death of her 18-year-old child? How do I comfort my dear, dear daughter?” he told News24.
Lees had been dating Ethan Kirland, 19, a first-year student for two weeks.
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch Municipality said it was struggling to hold the owner of the private property, where the bodies were found, to adhere to promises with regards to safety.
The municipality said it had been engaging with the land owner of Erf 7565, (De Canha Properties).
The director of Planning and Economic Development, Anthony Barnes, said approval was granted in the early 1990s for the development of a multi-residential building.
“The development commenced, but because the owner was in breach of the conditions attached to the development, and more specifically refused to develop a required slip lane to access the property, the development ceased,” Barnes said.
The extensive excavations on the site were due to the development, and were not rehabilitated after the development had paused.
Efforts to restart the development took place during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The property owner had failed to comply with undertakings made to the Stellenbosch Municipality, during a meeting on March 10, 2022.
These included the draining and cleaning of the property, and to proceed with the required land use rights application.
“It is understood that the owner has fallen ill, which has added additional time constraints to the process.”
The municipality was unable to secure a meeting with the owner’s son in June.
“In June 2022 Stellenbosch Municipality promulgated its first problem property by-law. The provisions of this by-law will also be brought to bear on this property,” Barnes said.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said the incident was still under police investigation, and that no further details would be divulged until the investigation was complete.
shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za