Annatjie murder trial postponed to next year

With Annatjie Myburgh’s murder trial at last having been heard in Graskop, her family and the whole White River community are hoping for justice to prevail when it will continue on April 1, 2019. It was postponed for further state witnesses to appear.

Suspects Selby John Mabila and Paul Mathebula had been in custody since 2016 and the trial started in the Graskop High Court on September 17.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority spokesman, Monica Nyuswa, fingerprints of one of the accused were found in Myburgh’s vehicle. Evidence of the two accused’s explanation of the crime scene was also admitted as evidence.

Myburgh disappeared from her home on June 15, 2016. Her vehicle was also missing and the police suspected hijacking and kidnapping. Her body was found early on June 18, 2016 in the bush on the way to Numbi.

During the trial the state pathologist testified that Myburgh did not die of a heart attack as initially thought, she was strangled to death.

Nyuswa confirmed that the policemen who were at the scene where Myburgh’s car was found as well as the scene where her body was found, testified during the trial along with other witnesses including the forensic footprint specialist.

The trial was originally set to commence in Hazyview, but due to a lack of appropriate resources had to be moved to Graskop.