One of the two men accused of murdering a mother and her nine-year-old son in Alberton in November 2023 admitted guilt and turned state witness in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday.

Pardon Danhire revealed gruesome details about how he killed Nadine Terblanche (32) and her son Ruandré Vorster (9). He claimed that he was paid R100 000 by his co-accused, Frederick Stapelberg, to commit the double murder.

The trial of the two men will now be separated, with Stapelberg pleading not guilty to charges of attempted and premeditated murder.

Gardner reveals gruesome details of how murder was committed

Zimbabwean-born Danhire entered into a plea and sentencing agreement with the state as per Section 105-A of the Criminal Procedure Act.

“I hacked Nadine with an axe on the head. I then went outside and called Ruandré to his room, where I suffocated him with a pillow. I went back to check if Nadine was dead but found her still shaking. I then proceeded by strangling her until she stopped moving,” read the plea agreement.

He was sentenced to 25 years each on two counts of premeditated murder with count two’s sentence being suspended for five years.

Danhire is married and has children. He moved to SA in 2018 from Zimbabwe, searching for a better life. He has no violent history and was found to have been driven by greed to commit the murders.

However, the court ruled that he meets the requirements of Section 105-A agreements. Danhire must also fully co-operate with the State moving forward. That is one of the conditions of the agreement.

Separation of trials

Stapelberg is seen as the alleged mastermind behind the murders. He faces four charges – two of attempted murder and two of premeditated murder – but claims he is innocent. The judge ruled that he would be tried separately.

Stapelberg’s case was postponed until March 5 for him and his lawyer to consult. He remains in custody.

Nadine’s mother in court

Carol Terblanche, mother to Nadine and grandmother to Ruandré, was in court when the sentences against Danhire were handed down.

The state consulted her about the plea agreement and she gave her blessing.

Section 105-A agreements demand that family members of crime victims be consulted, and their views considered.

Carol sat in the public gallery and watched the proceedings in court. She broke into tears when state advocate Riana Williams read out the details of what happened the day her daughter and grandson were murdered.

Carol had previously told the Alberton Record, “I am satisfied with how the case has gone so far and am pleased to hear Danhire will enter into a plea and sentence agreement with the state.”