The community in and around The College of the Transfiguration is struggling to comprehend the mysterious circumstances surrounding the murder of an Anglican priest who lectured at the college.
The community in and around The College of the Transfiguration is struggling to comprehend the mysterious circumstances surrounding the murder of an Anglican priest who lectured at the college.
Police spokesperson Inspector Sherolene Williams said the police are investigating a case of murder and theft of a motor car after Clive Newman (45) was found dead in his room at the college on the morning of Monday 9 November. His car, a metal dark blue Hyundai (DMC 932EC), was also stolen.
Newman’s’ body was covered with a duvet when it was discovered in his bed. "On further investigation it was found that the deceased’s head appeared to have been severely injured due to some form of force applied to it," explained Williams. "There were no signs of forced entry as the door was locked and the burglar gate was ajar."
She added that William Domires, the College of the Transfiguration’s rector used a master key to enter Newman’s room where he found the decomposing body. No arrests have been made and the police are investigating.
Domires told Grocott’s Mail that the incident appeared to be a robbery. "I found the body at about 10am after he had failed to report for a class," he added. Newman was born in Port Elizabeth and had been teaching at the College for the past three years. He was ordained as an Anglican Priest in 2007.
Domires described the incident as "absolutely terrible" and attributed it to "pure evil". "It’s a brutal killing, we’re all in very much shock," he added.
Newman was attacked by a gay couple in his car in Bluewater Bay 18 years ago. His throat was slit and one of his vocal chords was severed, impairing his speech. His testimony helped convict Antonie Wessels (31) and 16-year-old Jean Havenga who were responsible for killings across the country.
Two weeks before they attacked Newman, the couple killed three other people in different parts of the country. Wessels was sentenced to death and Havenga to 25 years in prison.
