The case against Alberton murder-accused Frederick ‘Freddie’ Vermeulen returned to the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on August 24.

Vermeulen appeared at District Criminal Court Two (DC2), where a decision on whether he would be tried in a Regional or High Court was finalised.

According to evidence before the court, Juanita sustained nine stab wounds, four of which were on her chest, others on her thighs and upper limbs.

Her body was found in the boot of her vehicle in the parking lot of a shopping centre in Brackenhurst, Alberton.

Serious charge, moved case:

Since his arrest, Vermeulen has been appearing in District Criminal Courts. After reviewing the case docket, the senior public prosecutor (SPP) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) determined that the seriousness of the case against Vermeulen requires it to be transferred to Regional Court Two (RC2), sitting in Palm Ridge, where he will stand trial.

District criminal courts are lower magistrate’s courts that handle less serious criminal offences and serve as the initial point of appearance for accused individuals.

Regional courts are lower courts; however, they handle serious criminal and civil cases that district courts do not. They hear major offences like murder and rape and civil claims up to R400 000.

Vermeulen is remanded in custody until his next court appearance on September 23.

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