[Watch] Woman murdered in Alberton: Daughter and co-accused in court
Court hears concerns from murder accused over photos taken during hearing as their case is postponed and media access explained by magistrate.
A court case involving the murder of Susan Gillian Murray, a then resident of Verwoerdpark in Alberton, was again heard at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
According to Alberton Record, Murray’s decomposed body was found dumped in Alberton North in November 2023.
The accused are Werner Jack Schoeman (42) and Delichia Bekker (43).
Schoeman was arrested while in hiding in South Hills, in 2023. Bekker, Murray’s daughter, is accused of being involved in the death of her own mother and was arrested days before Schoeman.
Schoeman and Bekker were dating and living with Susan on Oribi Street in Verwoerdpark during the time of her death.
The couple faces charges of murder, theft, and assault. At Tuesday’s hearing, accused one, Schoeman, raised his hand to speak and questioned the presence of an Alberton Record news reporter in court.
“Your worship, we weren’t notified last time that there is a reporter in court taking photographs of us, and until now, nobody explained to us why. We didn’t give permission for photographs to be taken of us,” said Schoeman.
In response to Schoeman, the magistrate said: “Well, this is a public court. And you ought to have raised that issue with your legal representative. Discuss this matter with your legal representative on May 9.”
The lawyer representing Schoeman and Bekker was not in court on Tuesday. She was unwell and could not appear. It is expected that she will be present at the hearing on May 9.
@albertonrecord At Tuesday’s hearing, accused one, Schoeman, raised his hand to speak and questioned the presence of an Alberton Record news reporter in court. “Your worship, were weren’t notified last time that there is a reporter in court taking photographs of us, and until now, nobody explained to us why. We didn’t give permission for photographs to be taken of us,” said Schoeman. Read full story on albertonrecord.co.za
South Africa’s open court system:
In South Africa, there is a principle of open justice and an open court system. These principles ensure public access to court proceedings and records, as enshrined in the Constitution.
Section 16(1)(a) in Chapter Two of the Bill of Rights reads: “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom of the press and other media.”
Alberton Record applied for media access to cover court proceedings in the Schoeman and Bekker murder case at the April 1 hearing, and permission was granted.
At that hearing, Schoeman gave an Alberton Record reporter the middle finger on his way back to the holding cells.
Schoeman and Bekker’s case has been postponed to May 9 at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court. They were both remanded back into custody.
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Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
