Five arrested for Parys pipe murder

902 A crime scene expert takes pictures of the scene on 7th street in Linden where 3 men tried to hijack a woman after a chase with the police that started in Robindale. 190208. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

902 A crime scene expert takes pictures of the scene on 7th street in Linden where 3 men tried to hijack a woman after a chase with the police that started in Robindale. 190208. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Jan 4, 2015

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Johannesburg - A father, two sons and their two friends have been arrested for the murder of a Parys businessman who was buried alive in a stormwater pipe, Rapport newspaper said on Sunday.

Furthermore, when the father, aged 51, was initially questioned by police he reportedly laid the blame with Al Qaida, saying that the murdered man, Craig Marx, 47, had been involved in an international drug syndicate.

On December 4, Marx was travelling in his vehicle when he was apparently ambushed by the group - whom had previously done renovations for him.

The father - who owed Marx R10 000, his sons, aged 17 and 21 respectively, as well as their friends, 17 and 19, then allegedly used a shock device to paralyse Marx.

The businessman was then assaulted with a metal pipe before being wrapped in plastic and bound with ropes and adhesive tape.

Placed in a stormwater pipe about 15 kilometres outside of Parys, Free State, an autopsy later showed that he had most likely suffocated to death.

The murderers were later identified by CCTV footage showing them stopping at a garage to buy cooldrinks after the killing.

About R20 000 had also been withdrawn from one of Marx's business accounts.

The five are due in court this week, with the proceedings for the minors to be held behind closed doors. - Sapa

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