CrimeUpdate

Court adjourns in Ermelo Colonel’s murder case, case postponed

The street leading to the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court was cordoned off

UPDATE:  January 20 – 10:36

Magistrate Hugo has postponed the case to January 27 for the gathering of profiles and legal representation for one suspect.

*** In a court case, profiling typically refers to the process of gathering detailed background information about individuals involved. It’s often used to build a comprehensive understanding of a person’s background as part of the legal proceedings.

The court has now adjourned.




Court proceedings in Ermelo cop murder case underway, postponement requested


UPDATE:  January 20 – 10:25

Court proceedings have begun, with profiles of the accused being obtained.

Catherine Hugo is the magistrate handling the case.

Four of the five accused have secured legal representation, while one has not yet done so.

There are inquiries regarding the date and time of the arrest, with conflicting reports. The accused claim it occurred on January 16 at 22:00 , while the arresting officer and docket indicate it happened on January 17 at 01:25 . Preliminary matters need to be resolved before a bail date can be set.

There are still investigations underway, and the state has requested a postponement until January 29.

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Courtroom packed in Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius murder case


UPDATE:  January 20 – 9:47

According to René Joubert, Highvelder journalist, members of the community, the Hawks, police, multiple media houses, and the Mpumalanga Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Nico Gerber, have filled the courtroom.

The Ermelo Magistrate’s Court. Photo: Archives/Wayne van der Walt

UPDATE:  January 20 – 9:20

The Highvelder has been granted court approval to attend the proceedings, though the application to take photographs inside the courtroom has been denied.

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SACP members Gather outside the courthouse in Ermelo, holding placards in protest. Photo: René Joubert

Accused in Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius murder case to appear in Ermelo Magistrate’s Court
January 20 – 9:09

ERMELO – Five suspects, including a former police officer, are appearing in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court today, January 20, in connection with the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius.

The suspects, four men and a woman aged between 29 and 40, were arrested in Nelspruit within 12 hours of the fatal shooting.

Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius, the commander of the Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit, was gunned down on Thursday, January 16.

A petition opposing bail for the accused has gained significant traction in the community, with residents voicing their demand for justice for the slain officer.

This morning, the street leading to the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court was cordoned off to ensure safety and order.

ALSO READ: Five suspects arrested in connection with murder of Ermelo officer

The street to the Ermelo Magistrate’s court has been cordoned off. Photo: René Joubert

A strong police presence is maintaining control as members of the South African Communist Party (SACP) protest outside the court, calling for the suspects to be denied bail.

René Joubert, Highvelder journalist, is at the court, providing live updates as the proceedings unfold.

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Wayne van der Walt

Wayne van der Walt, with around 15 years in the media industry, is editor of Highvelder Newspaper. His accolades include Frewin Awards for Newspaper of the Year and Front Page of the Year, and FCJ Photographer of the Year, among other honours.

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