The Gert Hitzeroth murder case, in which Bianca Jackson and Shaun Walter Beaton are accused, has again been postponed.

Forensic evidence suggests violent assault

Significant developments occurred earlier this year, particularly after the testimony of senior pathologist Dr Tinyiko Nkondo.

During a hearing on February 26, Nkondo presented her post-mortem findings, which added a layer of complexity to the case.

Her findings indicated that Hitzeroth died from multiple blunt force injuries, which she stated were inflicted during a violent physical assault. She also suggested that drowning might have contributed to his death. This contradicts earlier defence claims that Hitzeroth died solely in a swimming pool.

According to Nkondo, although none of the injuries were individually fatal, the combination of multiple blows and possible submersion likely led to his death.

She told the court, “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.”

These findings have strengthened the prosecution’s argument that Hitzeroth suffered a sustained and brutal assault before being submerged.

The court reconvened on November 19, when the prosecutor and the defence attorney presented closing arguments.

After hearing these submissions, the magistrate noted that she was not receiving a clear argument from the State prosecutor regarding what the court should accept as true to make a ruling.

She directed the prosecutor to resubmit the closing argument by December 5, with the defence attorney to respond by January 15.

Accused maintain their innocence

Shaun Walter Beaton, charged with murder, has claimed that he acted in self-defence. Bianca Jackson, accused of obstruction of justice and an accessory to assault, has denied any involvement in concealing evidence.

She maintains that she attempted to intervene during the alleged altercation.

Both defence teams submitted their final written arguments to the prosecution by the end of April, and the May hearing was expected to mark a decisive stage in the trial.

Instead, delays linked to equipment failures and, more recently, the prosecutor’s medical absence, have left the court and the families involved in a state of uncertainty.

The matter was postponed to February 5 at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court for further hearings.

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