MBOMBELA – Ms Christine Bruins, a former day-care mother accused of assaulting the children in her care, was not present when her case was scheduled to resume on Friday. However, the warrant of arrest issued against her wasn’t executed since the magistrate, Mr André Geldenhuys could also not attend to the case.
During July the court heard former employees of the accused testifying she had abused kids in her care in the past. The accused’s defence attorney, Mr Coert Jordaan, questioned the truthfulness of one of the witnesses, Ms Janet Mtetwa’s evidence by pointing out contradictions in her testimony. Another witness, Ms Lettie Magagula, testified she saw the accused abusing the children in her care but that she had not reported it as she was too scared.
The case was set to continue on July 25, but had to be postponed as the accused did not show up. The magistrate issued a warrant for her arrest which was held over until Friday.
Due to personal circumstances, Geldenhuys could not head the proceedings on Friday and the case was postponed to November 24. Jordaan handled the postponement in his client’s absence before magistrate Mr Willie Wilkens.
The warrant of arrest was not executed by Wilkens as the presiding officer would not have been able to proceed with the case in any event.
Jordaan explained he was informed that his client could not attend the postponement and he confirmed that he would communicate the postponement date to her.
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