A Facebook page set up in memory of Anika Smit, who was brutally killed, will be shut down after Damian Treeby, who was being interviewed during an inquest into her murder, was ousted on it.
A member of the public posted a photograph of Treeby on Facebook and called him a murderer. This was in violation of a court order that he may not be named.
The creator of the Facebook page “In memory of Anika Smit” posted a final message on Wednesday morning explaining why the decision was taken to shut it down.
“I’m closing this page because of people driven by a persecution complex. [Ek sluit hom WEENS MENSE, GEDRUK DEUR VERVOLGINGS WAANSIN]”
The person explained that the page was meant to be a place where people could remember Smit until her murderer was caught.
“Someone published a name after I asked a question and it was immediately removed.
“I don’t take any responsibility for her actions.”
Treeby not charged with anything
Smit was found dead on March 10, 2010. She had been raped, her throat slit and her hands were chopped off and have never been found.
Treeby was answering questions at the inquest as part of the State’s attempt to get a better idea of what happened. He had not been charged with anything.
Before he was named, Treeby was referred to as “Vampire”, the name he used on Mxit.
The owner of the Facebook page apologised to anyone who was falsely accused of Smit’s murder because of it or questions asked on it.
“I am really sorry. No one deserves it and it was never the intention.”
The page’s creator asked people to stop from commenting further on the page.
‘You left evidence behind’
For years the owner of the Facebook page has been posting statements addressing those who killed Smit.
In 2013 the person wrote: “To YOU who did this to her, you left evidence behind. YOUR DAY WILL COME [Aan JOU wat dit aan haar gedoen het, jy het bewyse agter gelos JOU DAG KOM].”
In another post the person wrote: “Her blood is on YOUR HANDS… As sure as there is a HELL, YOUR DAY WILL COME!!!.”
The person also wrote posts addressing Smith, some in English others in Afrikaans, and posted Bible verses about good and evil.
“This case ‘will NEVER go cold’, I promise you! So you KILLER can keep on looking out, because you will NOT be able to think you have won, you will never rest…. Not here and for certain not when you leave this earth!! [sic].”
In another message the person assured Smit they would not allow anyone to forget her or how she was brutally murdered.
Comments on many of the posts were messages of support and good luck and “Amens”.
“GOOD shall prevail over evil, AMEN,” a Facebook user said in response to a post.
Source: News24
South Africa Today – South Africa News
