Update

GEORGE NEWS - The trial of Rodney Witbooi (34), accused of brutally murdering his wife, Soneé (28), with a panga at their Loerie Park home in 2022, is expected to begin in the George Circuit High Court this morning, Monday 20 October.

Soneé’s brutal death sent shockwaves through the George community.

Witbooi, who has remained in custody since his arrest, had made another court appearance in the Thembalethu Circuit High Court on 2 May this year, when the case was postponed for pre-trial proceedings for Thursday 29 August, ahead of the October trial.

This follows delays in 2023, when the matter had not been placed on the George Circuit Court roll as initially expected.

Witbooi is facing several serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, housebreaking with the intent to commit a crime, and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

In addition to the murder case, he is also charged with attempted rape in connection with a separate incident that took place in January 2020.

The State has requested that the attempted rape charge be tried alongside the murder and related charges in the George Circuit High Court. 

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