Update: De Jager bail application postponed – again

Werner de Jager appeared in court today for the third time since his arrest on November 23 for the murder of his wife, Rev Liezel de Jager, in 2021.

When the case got underway this morning, the prosecutor, Jabu Mzindle, indicated that the state was not ready to go ahead with the bail application. This was because De Jager’s defence had only submitted proof of residence the day before, meaning that there was no time for the investigating officer to verify the address where he would be staying should he be given bail.

The state also said there had been a disagreement with the defence on whether the offence De Jager is accused of should be classified as Schedule 5 or Schedule 6. Conditions regarding the granting of bail differ according to classifications.

After a lengthy adjournment that was requested by De Jager’s lawyer, André May, it was agreed that the matter would be classified under Schedule 5.

The case was postponed to January 15 to allow for the verification of De Jager’s address.

He was remanded back into custody.