WATCH: Murdered Alberton mother and son: Court sends Stapelberg to Sterkfontein hospital
The Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital is a mental health facility where Stapelberg will have a mental evaluation.
The Palmridge Magistrate’s Court again heard the Alberton double-murder case on March 5.
Frederick ‘Freddie’ Stapelberg stands accused of plotting the murder of his then-girlfriend, Nadine Terblanche, and her son, Ruandré Vorster.
The case was moved to District Criminal Court 13 after Stapelberg’s lawyer, Advocate Solomon Tshivhase, had previously said they would file an application to have his client evaluated for his fitness to stand trial.
Stapelberg continues to claim that he suffers from depression caused by these murders.
The presiding officer in the lower court, District Criminal Court 5, had previously denied Stapelberg a month’s postponement and instead granted a two-week one for him to seek medical documents proving he has depression.
@albertonrecord The court ordered that he be sent to Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital in Krugersdorp for a mental evaluation. The Palmridge Magistrate’s Court again heard the Alberton double-murder case on March 5. Frederick ‘Freddie’ Stapelberg stands accused of plotting the murder of his then-girlfriend, Nadine Terblanche, and her son, Ruandré Vorster. The case was moved to District Criminal Court 13 after Stapelberg’s lawyer, Advocate Solomon Tshivhase, had previously said they would file an application to have his client evaluated for his fitness to stand trial. Stapelberg continues to claim that he suffers from depression caused by these murders. Read more on our website: www.albertonrecord.co.za
State advocate Riana Williams handed the court documents from Sun City prison on February 4, indicating that Stapelberg is under the medical supervision of prison officials.
However, there was no evidence to prove Stapelberg could not stand trial for the crimes.
The presiding officer granted Stapelberg’s latest application. Tshivhase asked the judge to send his client for a mental evaluation because he believed Stapelberg was unfit for trial.
The court ordered that he be sent to Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital in Krugersdorp for a mental evaluation.
Gardener admits to axing and suffocating Alberton mother and son:
There is already a conviction in the case. Pardon Danhire, Stapelberg’s gardener, admitted to killing Nadine Terblanche and her son, Ruandré Vorster, in November 2023.
Danhire said he was offered R100 000 by Stapelberg, Terblanche’s boyfriend at the time of the murders, to kill the Alberton mother and son. Danhire received two 25-year sentences to run concurrently.
Separation of trials (Stapelberg vs the State)
As the alleged mastermind, Stapelberg pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. He faces four charges: two of attempted murder and two of premeditated murder.
A judge previously ruled that he be tried separately because his co-accused (Danhire) was convicted. Stapelberg’s case will return to court on May 9.
ALSO READ: Gardener admits to axing and suffocating Alberton mother and son
