Brandon Pretorius murder case: Magistrate needs more time for judgement of bail hearing

Gordon Westraad (45), one of the accused in the Brandon Pretorius murder case, will have to wait longer to hear the outcome of his bail application.

Westraad and his co-accused, Ruan Beetge (30), made another appearance in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on July 28, where the matter was postponed to August 4.

Magistrate SD Prawlall said she needs to finalise several judgments and requires more time to prepare the ruling in Westraad’s application.

The Boksburg Advertiser previously reported that on July 14, the case was set to continue on July 28, when judgment on Westraad’s bail application was expected to be delivered.

Beetge has abandoned his bail application for now. His legal team withdrew from the case earlier this month. The reasons for this were not disclosed, and he has since applied for legal aid.

Westraad and Beetge face charges of murder following an incident that reportedly began at Malbroer Pub and Grill on the evening of April 25. Pretorius, the father of a one-year-old daughter, died in hospital on May 6.

Pretorius’s mother, Lisa, said every time she goes to court, it feels as if the tragedy happened just yesterday.

“It’s still extremely difficult for our family. It takes such a toll on me. I struggle to eat or sleep. I do, however, try my best to stay healthy because I know that’s what my son would have wanted. We are also struggling financially,” said Lisa, fighting back tears.

Also Read: Young father dies after assault

Also Read: Malbroer assault: It’s been a nightmare – Mother of slain son