Jannie’s death coming so soon after the mass violence had, by contrast, caused little public reaction. The official conclusion ascribed to Jannie’s killing was an unfortunate isolated act of robbery and violence. Renata had always felt uncomfortable with the findings because the break-in that was associated with Jannie’s death was unlike the previous break-ins—nothing had been touched and nothing had been stolen. It did not really add up to an isolated act of robbery or incidental violence. However, no matter how hard she pushed the police, they remained unconvinced there was anything else to investigate. Colleagues from the university and hospital had attended the funeral, with many eulogising about Jannie’s contribution to surgery. The flowers that had arrived at their home were like none that she had seen; large bouquets were left at the front door. Although Jannie’s mother had come to the funeral, she had refused to speak to Renata, presumably on instructions from her husband who, true to his Afrikaner stubbornness, did not attend.
