The long-awaited trial of Frederick Stapelberg, also known as Freddie Stapelberg, officially began on July 29 in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, sitting as part of the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa, after being delayed for two days because the defence advocate was unavailable.

Stapelberg faces two counts of premeditated murder and two counts of attempted murder relating to the November 2023 deaths of Alberton mother Nadine Terblanche and her son, Ruandré Vorster.

At the start of proceedings, the state formally read the charges against the accused. Stapelberg pleaded not guilty to both murder charges, which fall under Section 51(1), prescribing a minimum sentence if he is found guilty.

First security officer recounts arriving at the scene

The state’s first witness, former CPS Security armed response officer Pier Odendaal, testified that he was on duty when he received a panic alarm from a Randhart property during the late afternoon.

He told the court the panic signal was relayed through the control room before he was dispatched to the address.

When he arrived, he noticed the main gate standing open. As he approached the front door, he found two men struggling over an axe while the wooden front door was slightly open and the security gate was open.

Odendaal testified that Stapelberg was standing at the doorway asking him for help.

While approaching the entrance, he noticed another man, later identified as co-accused Pardon Danhire, holding what was confirmed to be an axe. Concerned by the situation, Odendaal immediately called for backup, drew his firearm and instructed both men to drop the weapon.

Danhire eventually released the axe, but Odendaal testified that Stapelberg remained in possession of it for a short time before also letting go.

The officer told the court that during the struggle he heard Stapelberg say to Danhire: “I will go withdraw the money now, just leave it.”

Odendaal said he did not hear anyone demanding money and described the conversation as taking place in a normal tone of voice, with both men appearing out of breath.

After Danhire walked towards him, Odendaal instructed him to leave the property before pursuing and arresting him nearby after Stapelberg had said Danhire assaulted him. During the arrest, he found a wallet containing Stapelberg’s identification and driver’s licence in Danhire’s possession.

Upon returning to the property, Odendaal said he apologised to Stapelberg after learning what had happened inside the house. According to the witness, Stapelberg replied in an upset tone: “I told you I need help.”

During cross-examination, the defence questioned Odendaal about the events he witnessed, suggesting Danhire had been assaulting Stapelberg and that the accused had opened the front door so someone could assist him.

The officer maintained that he only witnessed the two men struggling over the axe and did not see the deceased.

The judge also sought clarification about the sequence of events, the arrest of Danhire and the axe recovered at the scene.

Second witness describes discovering victims

The state’s second witness, CPS tactical officer Matthew Callow, testified that he responded after hearing Odendaal request backup over the two-way radio.

Callow said he was informed that two men were fighting with an axe before he arrived at the property.
After entering through the open gate, he searched for his colleague and heard someone performing CPR.

Following the sound, he found a woman trying to resuscitate a young boy and immediately contacted emergency medical services.

He later accompanied paramedics through the house, where they found a woman lying in a pool of blood inside a bedroom. The paramedics informed him there was nothing they could do to save either victim.

Callow also testified that he noticed an axe on the kitchen counter before giving water to Stapelberg and the woman who had been performing CPR.

While speaking to Stapelberg, Callow noticed a small scratch on Stapelberg’s chest and bruising on his neck and asked whether he required medical treatment. According to the witness, Stapelberg declined assistance and said he would go to hospital himself.

The officer further testified that Stapelberg later sat in the garden while Danhire remained detained a short distance away.

Callow said detectives later arrived and asked where the homeowner was, but Stapelberg could not be located on the property. He testified that after about 30 to 45 minutes, Stapelberg returned after reports from members of the public suggested he had left the area in an SUV.

During cross-examination, the defence questioned Callow on his observations, his interaction with Stapelberg and whether he had any knowledge of how the victims sustained their fatal injuries.

The witness confirmed he only testified about what he personally observed after arriving at the scene.

Control room evidence presented

The State then called CPS Security general manager Angela van der Merwe, who oversees the company’s control room operations.

She presented electronic records showing that the first panic alarm from the Randhart address was received at 17:19, followed by three additional panic alarms within five minutes.

Van der Merwe explained that the company’s procedure is to dispatch an armed response vehicle immediately when a panic signal is received rather than first contacting the client.

She testified that Odendaal’s response vehicle was dispatched at 17:23 and arrived at the property at 17:25.

The court also heard that Nadine Terblanche was listed as the client on the security contract, while Stapelberg was recorded as one of the occupants living at the property.

During cross-examination, the defence questioned the dispatch times and operational procedures followed by the control room.

The judge also sought clarification on the four panic alarms received from the same address.

The matter was postponed to August 5 for the continuation of the trial.

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