Gert Hitzeroth murder case postponed again following courtroom setback

The murder case of Gert Hitzeroth, in which Bianca Jackson and Shaun Walter Beaton stand accused, was postponed again – this time because of faulty courtroom equipment.

Proceedings, scheduled for May 21 in Regional Courtroom 6 at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, could not go ahead after court recording machines were non-functional.

With no alternative courtroom immediately available, the magistrate ordered the postponement of the matter to July 15.

The latest delay follows earlier developments in the trial, including a key forensic testimony from senior pathologist Dr Tinyiko Nkondo, delivered during the February 26 hearing.

Nkondo’s post-mortem findings pointed to blunt force trauma, and possible drowning as contributing causes of Hitzeroth’s death, undermining earlier defence claims that the death occurred solely in the swimming pool.

Nkondo detailed multiple contusions and internal injuries, particularly around the head and torso, consistent with a violent physical assault. She emphasised the injuries to Hitzeroth’s face, while not individually fatal, suggested significant blunt trauma, potentially combined with drowning.

“The cause of death was a combination of multiple blows rather than any single incident. Contrary to initial claims, drowning might also be a contributing factor,” Nkondo said during her testimony.

These findings supported the prosecution’s narrative that Hitzeroth suffered a sustained assault before being submerged.

Accused maintain innocence

Shaun Walter Beaton, charged with murder, continues to assert that any blows he struck were in self-defence. He is also implicated in the alleged drowning.

Bianca Jackson, charged with obstruction of justice and being an accessory to assault, maintains she attempted to intervene during the altercation and denies involvement in concealing evidence.

Legal submissions concluded

Both defence teams submitted arguments to the state prosecutor in early April, with the last exchanges completed by April 30.

With both sides prepared to present their final arguments, the May 21 sitting was expected to be a pivotal moment for the case.

Instead, the courtroom disruption has caused further delays in what has become a complex and emotionally charged case.

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