GEORGE NEWS - The murder accused Rodney Witbooi (33), who allegedly hacked his wife, Soneé, to death with a panga at their home in Loerie Park in December 2022, briefly appeared in the George Regional Court on Tuesday 30 January after the case was postponed on Monday.

In October last year, Witbooi was set to make his first appearance in the George Circuit High Court, however, the case was not accepted by the High Court or placed on the court roll of any court - despite it being transferred from the district court to the High Court on 13 September.

Was it not for the fact that Witbooi is also facing a charge of attempted rape in an unrelated matter that originates from an incident that happened in January 2020, he might have been a free man.

On Tuesday 31 October 2023, Witbooi appeared in the George Regional Court on the attempted rape charge.

He had previously been released on a warning in this case, but the warning was retracted after an application was brought to court by the state. Witbooi thus remains in custody.

The attempted rape case has now been postponed to 19 February, with the possibility that it might be added to the murder case.

Charges

In addition to the charge of murder, Witbooi faces three charges of attempted murder and one of housebreaking with the intent to commit a crime.

It is alleged that, in the most recent incident, Witbooi attacked his wife Soneé and three other people with a panga at their home in Boekenhout Street in the early morning hours of 21 December 2022.

Soneé succumbed to her injuries and was later declared dead by paramedics.

The other victims also sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.

According to Soneé's mother, Charmaine le Roux, the couple's marriage was already shaky and Soneé had been threatened by her husband several times before.

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