The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has reserved judgment in the bail appeal of murder-accused Sonell Joubert (43).

According to Mpumalanga News, Joubert brought the appeal before the high court after the Tonga Magistrate’s Court denied her bail on February 24.

The appeal was heard yesterday, with Justice J Vukeya presiding. Judgment has been reserved until next Thursday.

Judge demands clarity and proper documentation

During proceedings, Justice Vukeya instructed Joubert’s legal representative, Advocate Hennie van Rensburg, to submit a supplementary affidavit by today.

The instruction came after the judge questioned the clarity of a document found on page 108 of Van Rensburg’s submissions. She noted that it lacked a date stamp and was not clearly legible.

Vukeya emphasised that she would not be in court today and confirmed a ruling would only be made the following week. She also ordered Van Rensburg to ensure all necessary and properly prepared documents were submitted.

Discrepancies and missing evidence

Further concerns were raised over discrepancies regarding key dates. Van Rensburg claimed that Joubert applied for a protection order against the deceased, Jurgens Nel, on January 7.

However, State Advocate Itumeleng Phatudi argued that the application was made at a later date. The judge said she would only be able to make a ruling after reviewing the correct documentation.

Van Rensburg also told the court that the postmortem report and photo album were still outstanding and would only be available during Joubert’s next scheduled appearance in June.

He argued that Joubert had no knowledge of the witnesses against her and questioned why she should remain in custody if there was no risk of interference.

Despite this, the Tonga Magistrate’s Court had previously heard, during Joubert’s last appearance on May 8, that the investigation had been finalised and that the postmortem results were available.

Joubert was remanded in custody at that appearance, and her case docket was sent to a senior public prosecutor for a decision.

Murder timeline under scrutiny

Joubert is accused of fatally stabbing Nel at Lowhills Farm in the Nkomazi region in early February.

On February 1, she approached KaMhlushwa police, claiming that Nel had violated a protection order. That night, police officers visited Lowhills Farm but did not speak to Nel, as they were told he had locked himself inside and was armed. Officers reported seeing him alive inside the house between 22:00 and 02:22.

On February 3, police returned and found Nel dead with six stab wounds. The accused later admitted to stabbing him during a fight. She was arrested the following day after giving a statement at the police station.

The court raised concerns over the minor injuries she sustained and the missing murder weapon, casting doubt on her account.

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