The fate of two people accused of murdering Alberton woman Susan Gillian Murray now rests with the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, with judgment set for September 30, reports Alberton Record.

Murray, who lived in Verwoerdpark, Alberton, was found bound and dumped in Alberton North in November 2023. Her daughter, Delichia Bekker, and Werner Jack Schoeman face murder and theft charges in connection with her death.

The pair appeared in court yesterday (September 15) for closing arguments. The State argued that the evidence is sufficient for a conviction, despite Murray’s cause of death being recorded as ‘undetermined’, while the defence called for both accused to be acquitted.

Bekker was arrested days before Schoeman, who was later caught hiding in South Hills.

State argues evidence supports conviction

State prosecutor Advocate Carien Mulder told the court that Murray was found in a veld next to Radio Road in Alberton, with her decomposing body bound and hidden under a cover weighed down by rocks.

“Your Worship, it is common cause in this matter that the deceased is in fact dead, that she was discovered in a veld next to Radio Road (Alberton).

“Her body was decomposing at the time. She was bound and hidden under a cover weighed down by rocks.

“Accused one and two also conceded in cross-examination that, in these circumstances, it is clear that she was in fact murdered,” said Mulder.

Murray’s cause of death was recorded as ‘undetermined’ because of the decomposition of her body.

Mulder argued that the court can still convict where the cause of death cannot be established.

“The state is of the view that evidence before this court demonstrates that a court can convict where the cause of death is undetermined.”

Mulder previously told the court that the evidence gathered points to the involvement of Bekker and Schoeman in Murray’s death.

Defence calls for acquittal

Pamela Munyangane presenting both accused said the state had not proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The defence maintains that suspicion, however strong, does not establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. There is no direct evidence linking the accused to the murder and sale of the vehicles without the knowledge of the deceased.

“The defence, therefore, submits that the state’s case is lacking and that the inferences that the state seeks the court to draw do not exclude with reasonable prospect the innocence of the accused persons. The defence prays for the acquittal of both accused persons,” said Munyangane.

Both accused remain in custody.

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Werner Jack Schoeman and Delichia Bekker have been in custody for over two years for their alleged involvement in the death of an Alberton woman in 2023. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

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