UPDATE: State drops charges against Bouwer in brother’s murder case
State Prosecutor Carla Britz told the court that these charges have now been formally withdrawn due to a lack of evidence and the indictment had been amended.
The State has withdrawn charges against Pomona businessman Anton Bouwer in connection with the 2011 murder of his brother, Robbie Bouwer.
This development was announced during Bouwer’s appearance at the Gauteng High Court, sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, on October 30.
Bouwer was facing three counts related to the 2011 case – murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
State prosecutor Carla Britz said these charges have now been formally withdrawn due to a lack of evidence, and the indictment had been amended.
Last December, Advocate Takalani Mukhumo revealed that the state had joined the 2011 inquest docket relating to Robbie’s death with the current case Bouwer is facing.
Bouwer was allegedly considered a “person of interest” in his brother’s death years ago.
ALSO READ: Anton Bouwer murder case delayed again due to missing reports
According to a police report, Kempton Park Police opened a murder case on August 31, 2011, after officers discovered a body near a burnt-out vehicle on the R23 Road in Bredell. The victim was later confirmed to be Robbie Bouwer.
Although the 2011 charges have been dropped, Bouwer still stands accused in a separate and ongoing matter from January last year, for allegedly going on a shooting spree that resulted in the death of family members and a domestic worker.
He allegedly shot his parents, Robert (78) and Bettie (73), at their Bredell home before proceeding to his residence in Fairleads, where he allegedly killed his stepdaughter, Natasha (23), and domestic worker, Elizabeth Mahlangu (56).
His wife, Adélle (43), was also shot but survived after being airlifted to the hospital.
Bouwer faces four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, one charge of unlawful possession of a firearm, one charge of unlawful possession of ammunition and a charge of defeating the ends of justice.
The matter has been postponed to November 24 for the plea. Bouwer remains in custody.
ALSO READ: Defence considers bail application for Anton Bouwer amid trial delays
