Missing husband of slain KZN pastor found on farm in 'serious condition'

The missing husband of murdered Amanzimtoti minister Liezel de Jager has been found alive but in a serious condition.

A KwaZulu-Natal south coast farmer found Werner de Jager, who was reported missing by his father-in-law, on his sugar cane plantation on Wednesday.

Werner had found the lifeless body of his NG Kerk Suidkus minister wife in the yard of their Athlone Park home two weeks ago. She was found with strangulation marks on her neck, and none of her possessions had been taken. She had returned home from a jog.

It is understood that Werner was last seen by his father-in-law on Saturday morning.

While police spokesperson Col Thembeka Mbele told TimesLIVE on Wednesday morning that police were still looking for him, the situation had changed by early afternoon when an update was provided.

“We can confirm that Werner De Jager was found alive this morning at about 8.30am, in the lower Illovo area.”

Emer-G-Med spokesperson Kyle van Reenen said paramedics were called to a farm in Illovo after a farmer discovered a vehicle on his property.

“Further investigation by security officers found a man seated in the vehicle in a serious condition. Emer-G-Med paramedics responded and stabilised him before he was airlifted with the assistance of the Netcare 911 aeromedical helicopter to a nearby specialist facility.

“It is believed the man has been reported missing since Saturday last week,” said Van Reenen.

Last week, moving tributes were made to the slain 38-year-old mother of two at her memorial service.

Her emotional brother Herman Coetzee read out touching messages from her parents, husband and children. He described her as a daughter and sister “through thick and thin”.

Her parents described her as their “sunshine child”.

In his brief message, Werner said he wished he had written her more notes and poems.

“You know me and our girls love you dearly. You have left a void in our lives. We will miss you forever. Rest in God’s arms, my love.

“Know everybody misses you and will for years,” he said.

De Jager’s colleague and friend Marius Schoombie told mourners there “are few answers and many questions”.

“Our hearts are broken. One day we will know what happened.”

TimesLIVE