By Bronwynne Jooste
The parents of slain Stellenbosch student Inge Lotz believed their "precious" only child had found the perfect life partner in her handsome long-term boyfriend, Fred van der Vyver.
But in 2005 Lotz was found brutally murdered in her Stellenbosch flat. The young woman had been struck on the back of the head with a blunt object and stabbed several times in the chest and neck.
Nothing was missing from her flat, except a remote control for the gate of the security complex in which she lived.
Shortly afterward, Van der Vyver, an actuary with Old Mutual, became the prime suspect.
Since then the wealthy families of the two young achievers have waged a bitter battle in a search for truth and justice.
A lengthy and costly criminal trial followed Inge's death. International experts were called to testify and there were frequent postponements. According to the judgment, there was sloppy police work at the scene, where many hinted evidence was destroyed or compromised.
In November last year, Van der Vyver was found not guilty. Lotz's murder remains unsolved.
But before long, the Lotz and Van der Vyver families were back in court. This time Jan and Juanita Lotz of Welgemoed have brought a civil case for damages of R8-million against Van der Vyver.
Van der Vyver, in turn, is suing the state for R46m for wrongful arrest.
Dani Cohen, spokesperson for the Lotz family, said she believed the case was similar to the notorious OJ Simpson case in the United States.
The US footballer was acquitted of murdering his wife Nicole and her suspected lover but a civil court ordered Simpson to pay substantial damages to Nicole's family.
Despite the judgment, the Lotz family remain convinced of Van der Vyver's guilt.
And the Van der Vyvers, from the Eastern Cape, have been just as vocal about their son's innocence.
They say the emotionally draining experience of being on trial for murder has put their hard-working son under tremendous strain.
Current affairs programme Carte Blanche broadcast an insert in which the Van der Vyvers again proclaimed their son's innocence.
The Lotz family hit back, saying the programme was merely part of Van der Vyver "propaganda campaign".
While the families remain divided, they agree on one thing: the two young people were besotted with each other.
They met at Stellenbosch University and seemed well-matched. Both were bright. Inge, a mathematical statistics masters student, matriculated from DF Malan High School in Bellville and Fred was one of the top pupils at Grey College in Bloemfontein. They had been dating for a year when she was murdered.
Cohen said the family had "trusted Fred with their precious daughter". There were even discussions of an engagement in 2006.
Dup de Bruyn SC, for Van der Vyver, agreed the pair seemed happy and in love.
"On Carte Blanche Fred's father (Louis) said he believed they were a very lucky couple."
During the trial De Bruyn referred to a text message Juanita Lotz had sent to Van der Vyver the night before Inge's funeral. "Thank you for all your love, Fred - the rest of us for one year - our hearts have been broken by our angel child love you, sleep well."
Things are very different now. Cohen said the Lotzes had spent millions in trying to prove this.
Inge, a promising young student, was the apple of her parents' eye. Juanita had been trying to conceive for 10 years when she fell pregnant with her daughter.
"Before the murder the two families were as close as the parents of any two children who are seriously involved can be.
Fred moved into the Lotz house, but left after he became a suspect. That was devastating too. Fred was with their daughter for a long time, he was like a son to them," said Cohen.
For their part, De Bruyn said the Van der Vyvers were "struggling along".
"This (the civil trial) is upsetting them. But the family are supporting each other."