The family of the late Reverend Liezel de Jager may be a long way from getting justice and closure as the Amanzimtoti Magistrate’s Court formally yesterday concluded the case of her murder.

The case was closed after Werner de Jager’s death certificate was submitted to Magistrate Zama Nyuswa by the investigating team.

Werner was charged with his wife Liezel’s murder, which he allegedly committed at their Amanzimtoti home in 2021. After the investigation into Liezel’s death started, stalled and started again, Werner was arrested in Bloemfontein in November 2023.

After his bail application was denied and he was remanded in custody at Westville Prison, Werner was admitted to King Edward Hospital after allegedly taking a pill overdose on April 9. He died in hospital six days later.

Civil rights organisation Action Society, which has provided support to Liezel’s parents, Henk and Salomé van Zyl, confirmed that it is aware of the latest developments.

“We remain hopeful that the evidence collected during the investigation will provide Liezel’s family with the closure they need and deserve,” says Action Society’s spokesperson, Juanita du Preez.

During Werner’s bail application, it was revealed that there was a second person who could be charged for allegedly assisting Werner to commit the murder.

The South Coast Sun has revealed that Werner was also about to be charged with culpable homicide for the April 2023 death of two women in Koppies in the Free State, after the Honda sedan he was driving rear-ended their Toyota Fortuner. Linda Eales (54) and her mother-in-law, Berniece (84), died, while Linda’s daughter and her friend sustained severe injuries.