Haunted Karoo home up for sale

It is not just lamb or majestic open spaces that have made the Karoo famous – do not forget its ghosts and haunted houses. The many legends include “Die Spookhuis” in Oudtshoorn – which is more than 100 years old – and is on the market for R2.95-million. It has been a bridal boutique, an orphanage for Polish children and even a clinic, but when Johan van Noordwyk bought the four bedroom home a decade ago he was surprised to hear townsfolk refer to it as the haunted house. When he investigated, he discovered that a former beauty queen had lived there about 40 years ago.

At the time the house, which has since been lovingly restored, was old and run down. The woman told an author about seeing a handsome young doctor doing his rounds, and her story was published. After more digging, Van Noordwyk discovered that the doctor had fallen in love with one of the clinic’s nurses, who caused a scandal by falling pregnant. Subsequently, the nurse fell off a cliff in Mossel Bay – or was pushed by the doctor. It is not known what happened to him.