Update

GEORGE NEWS - The two men accused of murdering the 53-year-old Joan Singrew last November appeared in the Circuit High Court in George on Wednesday 5 November, where the charges against them were read into the record.

Joan's husband, Duane (46), faces eight charges, namely assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, two charges of common assault, domestic violence, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice. 

His cousin, Heinrich Jumat (45), was charged with aggravated robbery, kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice. Both the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Singrew and Jumat have been in custody since their arrest, after their bail was denied last December.

Joan's body was discovered in a wooded area near Great Brak River on Monday 25 November 2024 - what would have been her 54th birthday. She was last seen at her home in St Mary Street, Rosemoor, at about 07:30 on Thursday 21 November. Concern among her friends and family grew when she failed to arrive at work that day.

Her daughter reported her missing to the Conville Police Station that evening after finding no sign of her at home. The family also shared posts on Facebook in a desperate attempt to locate her.

Four days later, at about 14:50, a search team led by Great Brak police officers and a K9 unit made the grim discovery. A police dog led its handler to an area of dense bush near a footpath close to Charles Street, where a Go George jacket, believed to belong to Joan, was found. Shortly afterwards, her body was discovered nearby.

The case was postponed until today, Thursday 6 November, to give the court officials time for an inspection in loco.

Accused want prosecutor recused

During the proceedings, the accused, by means of their legal representative, Senior Advocate Johan Visser, requested that the prosecutor, Adv Evadné Kortje, recuse herself from the case, claiming that she had known both the accused during their school years in George, and that they had been part of a group that had bullied her at school. 

They also claimed Kortje was friends with a neighbour of the Singrews, and that she would not act impartially.

Kortje confirmed in court that she had attended school in George with the accused, but stated that she only vaguely recalled Singrew and Jumat, who are both four or five years younger than her, and that she did not remember any incidents of them bullying her.

Kortje told the court she was indeed the friend of a family who lived near the Singrews, but emphasised that this would not affect her professional conduct. She said she would prosecute without fear, favour or prejudice.

In delivering judgment, Judge André le Grange said it would be extremely difficult for the court to find that Kortje should recuse herself based on the reasons presented. The application was described as flimsy and without merit, and the request for her recusal was refused. 

He reminded the court that it was not the prosecution's role to judge the accused, and that that responsibility lay with the court.

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