Eduan Terblanche (53), who is accused of murdering his partner Stacey van Heerden (49) at a Mooi River hotel on May 28, was found dead inside a police van yesterday.

According to The Witness, Terblanche was being transported from the Mooi River Magistrate’s Court to holding cells in Pietermaritzburg yesterday, shortly after his bail application was postponed.

He was meant to return to court tomorrow for the continuation of his bail application.

However, his family confirmed they were last night informed of his death.

Police in Mooi River have now opened an inquest docket to investigate the cause and circumstances surrounding his death.

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the incident without naming Terblanche.

Netshiunda said police were investigating an incident ‘where an inmate, who was being transported from court to the police station, was found dead inside a police van on arrival at the station on Monday’.

Terblanche appeared in court yesterday using a crutch and wrapped in a blanket.

He was facing charges of murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice after his partner, Van Heerden, was found dead at the Gleneagles Hotel.

According to the charge sheet, Van Heerden was killed, allegedly by Terblanche who then reportedly set fire to the hotel room while she was still inside.

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