A family trip turned into tragedy last Friday when 64-year-old Karin van Aardt was fatally stabbed during a smash-and-grab attack shortly after arriving at Cape Town International Airport.
Police have opened a murder case and confirmed that the attacker smashed the passenger-side window and attempted to grab Van Aardt’s handbag.
The assailant fled on foot and has not yet been arrested as at the time of publishing.
‘Devastation’
Van Aardt, a retired primary school teacher from Mbombela, had travelled to Cape Town with her husband to celebrate their only grandchild’s birthday in Vredenburg.
The family said the couple had messaged to confirm their safe arrival moments before the attack.
“She was just a grandmother who wanted to celebrate her only grandchild’s birthday,” her brother-in-law said, describing the family’s devastation.
Public Outrage and Renewed Calls for Safety Measures
The incident has sparked widespread anger and renewed pressure on authorities to improve security on routes leading to and from the airport.
The FF Plus issued a statement calling for urgent interventions, including:
- repaired and reinforced fencing,
- functioning CCTV cameras, and
- permanent armed patrols at high-risk intersections.
“Action and prevention are not optional – they are absolutely crucial,” the party said.
City Cites Increased Patrols
City of Cape Town officials noted that 40 additional metro police officers were recently deployed to patrol the N2, airport approach roads and adjacent precincts.
However, residents and community groups insist more must be done to deter opportunistic attacks that have plagued the area for years.
Van Aardt’s killing has reignited long-standing concerns about criminal activity targeting motorists, particularly visitors unfamiliar with local conditions.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and have appealed for any witnesses or motorists with dashcam footage to come forward.
