Brandon Pretorius case: Bail hearing to continue in July
The investigating officer identified Beetge's girlfriend as a key witness.
The legal representative of Ruan Beetge (30), one of the murder suspects in the death of Brandon Pretorius (27), cross-examined the investigating officer, Sergeant Millecent Tshabalala, as Beetge and co-accused Gordon Westraad (45) continued their bail application in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on June 12.
Advocate Marius van Wyngaardt clashed with both the State and the magistrate, as the court felt he was attempting to address the merits of the case – something not typically done during bail proceedings.
Beetge and Westraad must convince the court they are suitable candidates for bail and will attend their trial.
During proceedings, Van Wyngaardt questioned Tshabalala on the number of witness statements police had obtained.
Tshabalala stated there was one witness at the initial assault in the Malbroer parking area and several other witnesses at the second scene, where Pretorius was allegedly assaulted again. She confirmed the investigation is still ongoing.
Tshabalala also identified Beetge’s girlfriend, Samantha, as a key witness due to her relationship with him, which enables her to identify him. The other witnesses reportedly do not know him personally.
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Van Wyngaardt accused Tshabalala of withholding information and lacking objectivity.
He presented Beetge’s version of events, claiming that Pretorius had allegedly touched Samantha’s buttocks at Malbroer, prompting an argument that led to Pretorius being thrown out of the venue. CCTV footage from inside Malbroer has yet to be obtained.
Van Wyngaardt added that Samantha’s phone was discovered missing. He told Tshabalala, “Accused number one (Beetge) and Samantha went home and started tracking the phone.
As a result thereof, not knowing what he would find, accused number two (Westraad) was called to assist.”
Tshabalala confirmed this version.
The tracking allegedly led them to the second scene on Middle Road, where Pretorius was found. He had reportedly crashed into a concrete pole. According to Van Wyngaardt, Beetge found Samantha’s phone in Pretorius’s vehicle.
Van Wyngaardt also argued that Pretorius may have sustained a whiplash injury, which could have caused the swelling on his brain. He claimed that medical personnel were not fully informed of all circumstances surrounding Pretorius’s death.
The bail hearing is set to continue on July 10.
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