The Tonga Magistrate’s Court has again postponed the murder case of Sonell Joubert, this time to May 8. She remains in custody.

Mpumalanga News reports she is accused of stabbing Jurgens Nel to death at Lowhills Farm in the Nkomazi region early in February.

Joubert appeared in court yesterday, where she was informed that the matter was postponed for further investigations.

This follows the state’s request for a postponement, citing an outstanding photo album and two witness statements.

Joubert’s lawyer, Marco Lamberti, apologised to the court for his late arrival, explaining that the rented car he was driving had a flat tyre near Marloth Park.

The magistrate immediately greeted him without acknowledging his apology.

“Good morning to you,” the magistrate greeted Lamberti, who returned the greeting before the prosecutor continued.

“The matter may be postponed for further investigation to May 8; what is outstanding is as follows: A photo album and two witness statements,” said prosecutor Benet Jali.

Lamberti asked the state whether Joubert’s profiling had been completed. Jali said it had not been finalised.

Lamberti stated that he planned to apply for condonation for leave to appeal the court’s refusal of bail for Joubert.

She was denied bail on February 24 after changing lawyers and submitting two supplementary affidavits in her attempt to secure bail.

During the bail judgment, the court heard that she no longer had a residential address, was a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses.

Joubert was arrested on February 4 after going to the KwaMhlushwa Police Station to meet with the investigating officer, Sergeant Bonginkosi Given Nguyuza.

Nguyuza had met with Joubert and her life partner, Johann Möller, on the farm the previous day. That was when he discovered Nel’s body with six stab wounds to his upper body and questioned Joubert about what had happened.

The court previously heard that Joubert told Nguyuza she and Nel had fought, during which she stabbed him with a knife.

It was also revealed in court that the murder weapon has not been found, leading Nguyuza to state that Joubert could not be trusted.

Nguyuza told the court that although he found the body on February 3, he believed Nel might have been killed two days earlier.

Joubert had approached the KwaMhlushwa police two days before, claiming Nel had violated a protection order she had against him.

That night, two police officers responded to a complaint at the farm but could not speak to Nel after Joubert and Möller said he had locked himself in the house and was aggressive and armed. The officers left the scene.

On February 3, Nguyuza and seven other police officers went to Lowhills to look for Nel, only to find him dead.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.