Pretoria – The brutal murder of 17-year-old Anika Smit in 2010 remains a chilling unsolved case, leaving her father, Johan Smit, desperate for closure. Fourteen years after his daughter’s horrific death, the unanswered questions continue to haunt him, prompting a renewed investigation into the circumstances surrounding her murder.
Anika, a Grade 11 pupil at Hoërskool Gerrit Maritz in Pretoria North, was found murdered in her bedroom on March 10, 2010. The scene was gruesome; she had been brutally murdered, sexually assaulted, and her hands had been cut off. This horrific crime deeply impacted the community and left an enduring scar on the Smit family.
In a desperate attempt to find answers, Johan Smit recently engaged Specialised Security Services (SSS) to conduct a fresh investigation. Mike Bolhuis, head of SSS, explained the scope of their work: “Johan Smit instructed them to evaluate the available evidence and to redo anything pertaining to this murder investigation that needs to be redone.”
As part of this process, Mr Smit voluntarily underwent a forensic polygraph test on October 25th, 2024, fully cooperating with investigators. The results, according to Bolhuis, confirmed Mr Smit’s honesty and cleared him of any involvement in his daughter's death.
The investigation team meticulously pieced together the events leading up to the murder. On the day of her death, Anika was unwell and did not attend school. Johan arranged for medication to be delivered to her home, but the delivery driver was unable to reach her. Later that day, he dropped off an assignment at her school before going to work.
A neighbour’s observations provide a crucial piece of the puzzle. He recalled seeing Mr Smit’s dogs in the front yard and the security gate locked when he left his home. Upon his return, however, he found the dogs in the backyard and the gate unlocked. While he didn’t find this immediately suspicious, assuming someone had visited, this detail has since taken on greater significance.
Another neighbour reported hearing a piercing scream from a nearby female. While unable to identify the source at the time, she now believes it may have been Anika crying for help.
Johan Smit’s return home revealed the horrifying truth. He found the dogs in the backyard and the front gate open – unusual, as the gate was typically kept locked. Upon entering the house, he noticed signs of a struggle in the living room. Calling out to Anika, he received no response. He discovered his daughter's lifeless body in her bedroom, a scene of unimaginable brutality.
Despite the initial shock and grief, the investigation into Anika’s murder has been plagued by setbacks. Two individuals were initially charged but later released due to insufficient evidence. One suspect, known to Anika, had an alibi and his DNA did not match the crime scene evidence. Six years later, in 2016, another man confessed to the murder but later retracted his confession, claiming coercion. His DNA also did not match the evidence.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this ongoing investigation. The lack of response leaves the Smit family and the public with unanswered questions, highlighting the frustrations of dealing with a protracted and seemingly stalled investigation.
