Update

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, was set to make his first appearance in the George Circuit High Court on Monday 30 October.

However, in a surprising turn of events 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 - while he was on parole serving an 18-year sentence - he might have been a free man.

On Tuesday 31 October, 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He had previously been released on a warning in this case, but the warning was retracted after an application was brought to court by the state.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 was postponed until 29 January 2024 with the possibility that it might be added to the murder case.

Witbooi's case allegedly didn't serve in the George Circuit High Court due to certain new directives given out by the high court in the Western Cape. These directives were given in October this year. At this stage it is unclear what exactly the directives entail.

A request for comment was sent to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regarding the situation and the new directives on Tuesday 31 October and George Herald is awaiting feedback as it is unclear at this stage in which court, and on what date, the murder case will serve.

Ten charges

Besides the charge of murder, Witbooi faces nine other charges including various counts of assault, three counts of attempted murder, housebreaking and being in possession of drugs.

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 three 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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