Joanne Swartbooi has been denied bail and will continue to remain in custody based on the merits of her case.
This decision was handed down by the magistrate during a lengthy bail hearing in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court that was heard on January 18 and 19.
The 36-year-old mother of three faces a charge of murder, after being accused of killing her boyfriend Timothy Jacobs with a baseball bat and burning his body.
The magistrate decided of denying her bail after the defence attorney, Gugu Magagula, and prosecutor, Nkosazana Maloyi, shed some light on the matter.
The accused has since denied the allegations made against her.
During a cross-examination, investigating officer Sgt Rogers Mtungwa revealed to the court that there is evidence that reveals that the alleged deceased, Timothy Jacobs, is indeed dead.
“Upon her arrest, the accused said she will make a confession in court but I was surprised when she didn’t. The accused indicated that she did take the deceased’s life and when asked where was what she used to hit the deceased leading to his death, she said she burnt that too,” he said.
Mtungwa reiterated that Swartbooi should not be granted bail because of her safety.
“The Eden Park community went to the police station before the bail application and told the commander that they don’t want her at Eden Park anymore. Bones and mattresses have been taken for forensic analysis and DNA testing.
“It shouldn’t take more than two months for this to return,” he said.
He also said scene photos are also still outstanding as well as the post-mortem report.
On behalf of the State, prosecutor Maloyi also turned down the accused’s request for bail application despite her defence attorney’s efforts to prove Swartbooi’s innocence.
She is expected to reappear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on March 17 following further investigations.
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