It was an emotional day at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court as Ruan Beetge (30) and Gordon Westraad (45), charged in connection with the death of Brandon Pretorius, resumed their bail application on July 10.
Pretorius, a father from Jansen Park, succumbed to his injuries on May 6, several days after an assault that reportedly followed from an incident at Malbroer Pub and Grill in North Rand Road.
Beetge, who cried in the dock, temporarily abandoned his bail application. His legal team withdrew from the case. The reasons for this were not disclosed, and he has since applied for legal aid.
The investigating officer, Millicent Tshabalala, again took the stand and was cross-examined by Westraad’s legal counsel, Frik van Rensburg.
Van Rensburg questioned Tshabalala about why she believes Westraad should not be released on bail.
She reiterated that she feels it is safer for Westraad to remain in custody, as the community does not want his bail application to be granted. She stated that she had received a petition signed by 3 000 people calling for his bail to be denied.
Westraad’s representative told the court that he would adhere to bail conditions. Tshabalala, however, argued that he would still need to “walk through the community” to report to the police station, which could pose a risk.
Van Rensburg said that the petition merely reflects the community’s dismay and doesn’t mean that Westraad’s life would be in danger.
The court was visibly moved when Westraad burst into tears as Tshabalala testified that one of his children is no longer attending school because the child was being terrorised.
“Other learners told the child that their father is a murderer and that they would also become a murderer as an adult,” Tshabalala said.
She explained that this information came from the mother of Westraad’s child, who is battling cancer.
Tshabalala told the court that Westraad has been in custody for a long time, which, she said, “can change a person”.
“It can make a person scared and cause them to flee.”
Westraad’s bail application is set to resume on July 14.
Also Read: Young father dies after assault
Also Read: Malbroer assault: It’s been a nightmare – Mother of slain son
