Professor Judith Masters (66) and her French partner Fabien Gènin (50) were found murdered in their Hogsback home in Eastern Cape, on Monday morning the 3rd of October. Hogsback is on top of the Amathole Mountains just outside northwest of East London and is popularly known for its beautiful forests which attracts tourists.
The two worked at the University of Fort Hare until last year when they both retired, Masters was research and zoology professor while Gènin was a senior lecturer in the university. The couple was globally and nationally recognised primatologists.
Professor Judith Masters was born in East London and attended Cambridge High School. She was also an honorary professor at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha and an adjunct professor Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. Fabien Gènin was trained in France as an ethologist and physiologist, he arrived in South Africa in 2006 was associated with the Natal Museum in Pietermaritzburg and subsequently the University of Fort Hare.
When the couple’s domestic worker was reporting for duty on Monday, she found the lifeless bodies of her employers inside their room with their hands and feet tied up.
Captain Siphokazi Mawisa police spokesperson in Eastern Cape, said the suspects forced their way into the house through the kitchen door. Mawisa also added that a post-moterm would be conducted to find the cause of death, a case house robbery and two cases of murder are under investigation. According to the domestic worker, the couple’s computers were missing.
“The domestic worker was highly traumatised by the incident so she could not give full details. However, our crime expects went back to the crime scene to see what else is missing from the house,” Captain Siphokazi Mawisa.
The Hogsback community is shocked and in fear after the murder of the couple. Policing forum at Hogsback would call a community meeting to discuss crime and security in the area.
The Chairperson of the policing forum Wayne Kent said, “This is a shock to us all, we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. Residents must vigilant, make sure that they are secured and look out for their neighbour’s.”
No one has been arrested yet for the murder of Professor Judith Masters and Fabien Gènin.
