A man accused of murdering his wife has been denied bail by the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, with the court finding that the state has a strong case against him and that his personal circumstances are not exceptional enough to justify his release.

Freddie Vermeulen is charged with the murder of his wife, Juanita, who was found with nine stab wounds, according to the state, reports the Southern Courier.

During proceedings, the magistrate, who asked not to be named, said that Vermeulen’s version of events was inconsistent with the evidence presented.

The court heard that Vermeulen claimed he had stabbed his wife twice.

However, preliminary post-mortem findings cited by the state indicate that she sustained nine stab wounds.

The magistrate noted that the state alleges the killing was premeditated.

In a summary of the facts presented before the court, it was stated that Vermeulen testified he washed his clothes with chlorine in a hot tub after the incident.

The court also heard that he had previously threatened to take his own life and had allegedly attempted to do so while in custody.

The magistrate said that this raised concerns that he could be a danger to himself.

The state further argued that Vermeulen had indicated prior to the incident that he and his wife were in the process of divorcing and dividing their assets.

According to the magistrate, he testified that the couple had been fighting and that Juanita had provoked him by chasing him out of the house and shutting down his computer server.

Delivering her ruling, the magistrate said that Vermeulen’s personal circumstances were neither unusual nor exceptional enough to warrant bail.

She added that the state’s case appeared strong and that witnesses would support the evidence presented.

The case has been postponed to March 26. The post-mortem examination is yet to be completed and an identity parade is still to be held.

Vermeulen became visibly emotional following the ruling.

“I’m not going to make it. I’ve lost everything,” he told the court in tears.

He later turned to his girlfriend, Michaela Croucamp, seated in the public gallery, and said, “I love you,” before being led to the holding cells.

He had referred to Croucamp as his new wife during an earlier court appearance.

Vermeulen remains in custody pending further proceedings.

Frederick allegedly murdered his wife in their home in Randhart on January 9.

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