WHITE RIVER – Murder has been added to the list of charges against the two men arrested after Ms Annatjie Myburgh was found dead after she had gone missing on June 15.
Mr Paul Mathebula (27) and Mr Selby Mabila (26) again appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Both were originally charged with robbery and kidnapping with aggravating circumstances.
Spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Ms Monica Nyuswa, said they were still awaiting the results of the autopsy.
“The evidence we have led us to adding the charge of murder. It is a provisional charge based on the outcome of the autopsy. We are still waiting for the results,” she said.
Family spokesman Mr Bruce Macaulay said the family was relieved. “The family wanted the murder charge to be added,” he said.
He said a second autopsy had been performed on Myburgh’s body at the behest of the NPA, but Nyuswa was unable to confirm this.
Macaulay added that it was frustrating for the family not to have more comprehensive answers. He claimed the reasons for the murder charges being added were unclear to the family members.
Myburgh’s children Mr Wendell and Ms Charmaine Myburgh, and Ms Marlize and Mr Jaco Rossouw, attended the court proceedings. “Their father was very emotional this morning,” Macaulay said. “He didn’t have the strength for this.”
On Monday the family was also finally afforded the opportunity to visit the site where her body was found in the early hours of Sunday, June 19. Bail was abandoned by both accused and they were remanded in custody.
The case was postponed until July 19 for further investigation.
- Also see:
- Video: Annatjie Myburgh se lewe gevier
- Annatjie Myburgh’s tragic end
- Annatjie Myburgh case: second suspect in court
- VIDEO: Annatjie Myburgh case suspect arrives at White River Magistrates court
