04/27/2006
Execution-Style Murders Stun South Africa
The aftermath of a tragic event has been playing out in South Africa. On the night of April 15th, actor Brett Goldin and his friend, fashion designer Richard Bloom, both gay, were discovered murdered on the grassy edge of a highway near Mowbray, South Africa, virtually naked with gun shots to the backs of their heads.
According to the Cape Argus, "Bloom, 27, was a fashion designer for Maze Clothing in Cape Town, while Goldin, 28, was a well known actor about to leave for Britain with Janet Suzman's production of Shakespeare's Hamlet."
The execution style murders came at the hands of a gang of men. Eleven were originally accused and charges against three were formally dropped. Another man was recently released because a court document had been tampered with and the suspect was held for 51 hours, three hours over the legal maximum.
According to the Independent, "Police said media reports alleging the motive for the murders could be drug-related were pure speculation and the provisional motive was robbery. "
Bloom's partner of six years spoke at his funeral last Friday: "If only I had known it was our last walk in the rain. If only I had known I would never hear your voice again, I would have memorised everything you said...The past week has left me feeling great despair."
Posted 10:26 AM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, South Africa | Permalink
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Drug related....yeah, right.
Posted by: Myackie | Apr 27, 2006 12:52:07 PM
It`s a terrifying story, but could have been robbery or race motivated. I`m sure these scum would be just as happy to execute two straight white dudes.
Whatever, it`s a horrible way for these two men to die.
Posted by: Peter Rivendell | Apr 27, 2006 1:38:50 PM
35 posts on how dare he be mean to Jack and Ennis and nothing to say about the brutal slaying of two young men in their late-20s; stripped, executed and left by the side of the road. Shame on you lot!
Posted by: Peter Rivendell | Apr 27, 2006 6:10:32 PM
^Exactly!
Posted by: Evan | Apr 27, 2006 7:21:46 PM
Were they cute?
Posted by: Chad Hanging | Apr 28, 2006 12:15:02 AM
Brett Goldin and Richard Bloom’s murder are not robbery or drug related, not primarily at least. Evidence show towards ‘gang initiation rituals’ and a possibility that gay men might be targeted.
Read more:
http://www.news24.com/News24v2/Search/n24SearchResults/1,,,00.html?query=brett+goldin+&imageField.x=22&imageField.y=8
This is just one of numerous senseless murders and acts of violence that have become everyday in South Africa. This week a well known singer (Kurt Darren) was held up in his home and assaulted by robbers.
Read more:
http://www.news24.com/News24v2/Search/n24SearchResults/1,,,00.html?query=kurt+darren&imageField.x=9&imageField.y=10
Ken Kirsten, a well know TV director was murdered in his home in Johannesburg.
Read more:
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1914503,00.html
The list goes on… In South Africa you do not just get robbed or burgled, 95% of the time the victims are tortured and murdered.
Posted by: Arnold Vorster | May 1, 2006 7:24:21 AM