Former Kempton Park hairdresser Denise Hattingh appeared in the Kempton Park Regional Court yesterday.

According to Kempton Express, the matter was postponed to allow more time for the completion and submission of a pre-sentence report.

On October 1, Hattingh pleaded guilty to the charge of murder against her under Section 51(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.

Details of the offence

According to her plea, on May 15, 2024, at a property on West Road in Pomona, she killed 30-year-old Jacobus Marthinus Greeff by tying his hands and feet with an electrical cable and placing a plastic bag over his mouth, restricting his ability to breathe.

The cause of death was confirmed as applied pressure to the neck, consistent with ligature strangulation.

Hattingh admitted she had no lawful justification for her actions and did not dispute the chain of custody of Greeff’s body.

A post-mortem conducted by forensic pathologist Dr M Nkosi at the Germiston Forensic Laboratory on May 16, 2024 confirmed the findings, which were submitted into evidence.

Plea explanation

In her plea, Hattingh stated that she and Greeff were acquainted and occasionally shared a room.

She claimed that during a sexual encounter, she tied his hands and feet with an electrical cable, placed a plastic bag over his mouth and held it there until he stopped breathing.

Hattingh admitted she foresaw the fatal outcome of her actions and accepted full responsibility, acknowledging that her conduct was unlawful and punishable.

The case is scheduled to return to court on January 28 for the pre-sentence report to be officially handed in.

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