From the horse’s mouth: Spahn and Kotzé bury the hatchet
They do not want to pursue this route as they want to conclude this chapter in their lives.
Paul van Marle, legal representative of the Spahn family writes:
On March 13, 2O15 both criminal cases involving Mr Sipho Spahn and Mr Marius Kotzé have been formally mediated in the White River Magistrates’ Court. Contrary to what has been reported by the SPCA, Spahn and Kotzé adhered to the formal procedures as provided for in the South African Criminal Law system and the matters were only concluded on said date.
The parties decided that, as a result of the way social media has taken these matters out of context, to resolve this matter amicably, shake hands, apologise to each other and continue with their lives as neighbours. Furthermore, as a result of the way that members of the general public have exploited these unfortunate events for personal and financial gain, the parties decided to sit around a table and sort out their differences, not guided by public opinion.
With regards to the article published in the Lowvelder of March 13, 2O15, any reference to the rumours that the Spahn family compensated the Kolzé family is totally devoid of any truth and they confirm that they are just malicious rumours.
Both Spahn and Kotzé have realized the seriousness of the charges against them and resolved this matter by formal mediation. During the mediation, neither of the men conducted themselves in any untoward manner.
Regarding the allegation that a recent case of crimen injuria has been opened, the Spahn family only became aware that an individual had in fact been charged and appeared in court after the above mentioned article was published.
To clarify any confusion, early January, the Spahn family provided the South African Police Services with numerous threatening SMS text messages and emails, because they feared for their personal safety. Some of these messages included direct threats on their lives and like anyone in their shoes they provided it to the police.
They were unaware that a case of crimen injuria had been opened against an individual. Only after a while the police contacted them and informed them that they have found a young male who sent threatening messages and wanted to know if the family wanted to open charges against him.
The Spahn family informed the police they were not interested in proceeding with a criminal matter and had not been in contact with the police regarding this aspect since. The Spahn family bears no knowledge of the SAPS “insisting” on questioning one Carin Anderson and confirm once again that they are not aware of any pending crimen injuria case and that they are not intending to proceed with any such matter.
They provided said messages to the police as a result of the real threat said messages posed to their personal safety.
They do not want to pursue this route as they want to conclude this chapter in their lives.
The Spahn family would furthermore like to place on record that these SMS text messages and emails as mentioned in the article, have no connection to Marius Kotzé or his wife.
Both families consider these matters as concluded and will now continue with their lives.
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