Murdered Alberton mother and son: Defence lawyer claims Stapelberg has depression

The trial date of two men accused of the murder of an Alberton mother and son, Nadine Terblanche and Ruandré Vorster, was yet to be set. The alleged mastermind claims to have depression.

Pardon Danhire (accused one) and Frederick ‘Freddie’ Stapelberg (accused two) face charges that include premeditated murder, murder, and attempted murder. Danhire faces two counts of premeditated murder and Stapelberg four counts, including two of attempted murder and two of premeditated murder.

The matter was again in the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court on January 20.

Stapelberg’s lawyer asked for a month’s postponement, claiming his client is suffering from depression stemming from the murders of his former girlfriend (Nadine) and stepson (Ruandré).

Stapelberg stands accused of orchestrating their killings.

The judge hearing the matter, questioned Stapelberg’s lawyer, advocate Solomon Tshivhase, on why a trial date could not be set because the case has been dragging for too long.

“We intend to file for leave to appeal the decision to deny my client bail. And because of my client’s medical situation, we request the postponement of this matter,” said Tshivhase.

Asked what the medical issue is Tshivase said: “My client suffers from depression caused by the murders of his former girlfriend and stepson, who he stands accused of being involved in their killings,” said Tshivhase in response.

“This matter cannot proceed if my client is medically unfit,” argued Tshivhase.

He did not produce a medical certificate to prove his client suffered from depression. The judge refused to grant a month’s postponement as requested by Stapelberg’s defence, citing a lack of evidence proving the illness Stapelberg suffers from.

Tshivhase claimed getting a medical certificate is a strenuous process through prison officials, where Stapelberg is currently held.

State advocate Riana Williams offered to assist Tshivhase in speeding up the process by helping him to obtain the medical certificate before the next court date,” said Williams.

The judge granted Tshivhase and Stapelberg a two-week postponement to seek medical documents proving that Stapelberg suffers from depression.

Their next court appearance is February 4, where Stapelberg has to prove he is medically unfit to stand trial on the charges against him.

The case against Danhire and Stapelberg stems from two murders in Randhart, Alberton, on November 27, 2023.

Nadine and her son, Ruandré, fell victim to an attack. Terblanche was found dead with signs of strangulation, and her son, playing outside at the time, was later allegedly suffocated with a pillow after being called to his room.

The cause of death for Terblanche was manual strangulation and a sharp force of trauma to the head, while Ruandré’s injuries were consistent with suffocation.

ALSO READ: Murdered Alberton mother and son: accused sent to different courts caused postponement