Estelle le Grange, Leeroy Scholtz, and Anke-Mari Cilliers Sentenced for Murder of Gqeberha Businessman Daniel de Jager in Newton Park, Eastern Cape
Three people have been sentenced for the murder of 65-year-old businessman Daniel de Jager in Newton Park, Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, after a case that shocked the Nelson Mandela Bay business community and revealed a carefully staged crime scene. The sentencing follows a detailed police investigation that uncovered that the killing was not a random house robbery, but a planned attack involving people close to the victim.
The case has drawn strong public attention in Gqeberha, with questions raised about trust, relationships, and violent crime within residential areas of Nelson Mandela Bay.
What Happened in Newton Park, Gqeberha, During the Murder of Daniel de Jager
The murder of Daniel de Jager took place on 30 October 2025 at a residence in Mangold Street, Newton Park, a residential suburb in Gqeberha, within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. According to information confirmed by the police, officers from the South African Police Service Mount Road detectives responded to a reported house robbery and murder at the property.
When police arrived, they found that Daniel de Jager had been fatally assaulted with a hammer. The initial scene suggested a violent home invasion. His vehicle, bank cards, laptop, and jewellery had been stolen, and money had already been withdrawn from his bank accounts shortly after the incident.
However, early observations at the scene raised concerns. Investigators noted inconsistencies in the version of events provided by individuals close to the victim. What appeared at first to be a straightforward robbery quickly shifted into a more complex murder investigation in Newton Park, Gqeberha.
The death of Daniel de Jager, a well-known businessman in the area, created immediate concern within the local community. The nature of the attack, combined with financial activity on his accounts, suggested that the crime had been carefully executed to mislead investigators.
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Nelson Mandela Bay Police Investigation and Arrests in the Daniel de Jager Case
The investigation into the murder of Daniel de Jager was led by detectives from the South African Police Service Mount Road unit, working within the broader policing structure of the Nelson Mandela Bay.
Within 24 hours of the murder being reported, police arrested three suspects: Estelle le Grange (57), who was the victim’s life partner, along with Leeroy Scholtz (36) and Anke-Mari Cilliers (36). Their swift arrest followed early forensic work and witness interviews that revealed contradictions in statements made about what had happened in the Newton Park home.
Investigators later established that the crime scene had been staged to resemble a house robbery. Evidence suggested that items were deliberately removed, and attempts were made to clean the scene in order to destroy traces of involvement. The investigation further indicated that Daniel de Jager’s murder had been planned rather than occurring during a spontaneous break-in.
Police also uncovered that Daniel de Jager’s bank accounts had been accessed after his death, with funds withdrawn using stolen bank cards. This financial trail played a key role in strengthening the case against the accused and helped investigators link the suspects to the crime.
Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo, Acting District Commissioner for Nelson Mandela Bay, praised the work of the investigation team. He specifically commended Sergeant Renaldo Rhagosingh and his colleagues for their commitment to solving the case quickly and thoroughly in Gqeberha.
The case became one of the more closely followed murder investigations in Newton Park in recent years due to the speed of arrests and the complexity of the evidence uncovered.
Court Proceedings, Plea Agreement, and Sentencing in the Newton Park Murder Case
The accused in the murder of Daniel de Jager later entered into a Section 105A plea and sentence agreement with the State. This legal process allowed the matter to be resolved without a full trial, based on agreed facts and admissions of guilt.
The court proceedings confirmed that the killing was linked to murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, defeating the ends of justice, and contravention of the Older Persons Act. The charges reflected both the violent nature of the crime and the deliberate steps taken to conceal what had happened in Newton Park.
On 01 June 2026, Leeroy Scholtz was sentenced to an effective 25 years in prison. A day later, on 02 June 2026, Anke-Mari Cilliers received an effective 20-year prison sentence. The final sentencing took place on 10 June 2026, when Estelle le Grange was handed an effective 25-year imprisonment term.
The court accepted that the crime was not only violent but also carefully planned. The fact that the victim’s life partner was among those sentenced added a significant emotional and legal dimension to the case.
Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo described the outcome as a demonstration of effective policing and investigative discipline within the South African Police Service. He stated that the swift arrests and successful prosecution ensured accountability in a case that could have easily remained unresolved without strong investigative work.
The sentencing of Estelle le Grange, Leeroy Scholtz, and Anke-Mari Cilliers has now formally closed one of the most serious murder cases in Newton Park, Gqeberha, in recent years.
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Community Reaction in Gqeberha and Impact of the Newton Park Murder Case
The murder of Daniel de Jager and the subsequent sentencing of the three accused have left a lasting impression on residents of Gqeberha and the wider Nelson Mandela Bay area. Cases involving staged crime scenes and close personal relationships between victims and suspects often generate public concern about safety and trust within residential communities.
In Newton Park, where the murder occurred, residents expressed unease about the nature of the crime and the fact that it initially appeared to be a house robbery. The case has since been widely discussed in local circles as an example of how quickly violent crime can escalate and how complex such investigations can become.
This is not the first case in Gqeberha to draw attention to violent home invasions and planned attacks in residential areas. Law enforcement officials continue to highlight the importance of community cooperation in reporting suspicious activity and supporting ongoing investigations.
Read more similar cases on our website to understand how police investigations across Nelson Mandela Bay continue to address serious violent crimes and bring offenders before the courts.
Brigadier Loyiso Ngalo reiterated that the work of detectives in the Daniel de Jager case reflects the commitment of the South African Police Service to ensuring that justice is served, even in complex and emotionally charged cases.
The investigation remains a reference point for how coordinated police work, forensic analysis, and witness cooperation can lead to successful outcomes in murder cases across Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape.
Authorities have encouraged anyone with additional information related to similar crimes in the area to come forward as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community safety and prevent further violent incidents.
