The Poppie van der Merwe murder case resumed in the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday, 5 December, with Susan Bothma taking the stand in defence of her daughter, Louisa Koekemoer, the Truth and Justice Continue Facebook group revealed.
Both Kobus Koekemoer (Poppie’s stepfather) and Louisa Koekemoer (Poppie’s biological mother) were arrested in connection with the blue-eyed little girl’s tragic death in Brits last year. Poppie died on the way to a hospital in the area as a result of her injuries. She was laid to rest in Westonaria. Her biological father, Christo van der Merwe is also from Westonaria.
Read more here: Stiefpa van vermoorde Poppie kry regshulp
Bothma testified that the relationship between Louisa and the children was always loving and that she had never witnessed any form of abuse from Louisa.
The testimony from Susan finalised the witnesses for the defence and the heads of arguments were delivered immediately.
An advocate for the State argued that the Koekemoer couple should both be convicted of murdering Poppie and for seriously assaulting Louisa’s 5-year-old son.
Kobus Koekemoer’s defence advocate argued that the State had not proved that he could have foreseen Poppie’s death, while Louisa’s defence attorney argued that she was, at most, negligent.
Also Read: Poppie at rest, but SA is outraged
In return, the judge stated that it’s worrying that everyone in Orania knew about abuse and did nothing. He went on to describe the injuries sustained by Poppie (who sustained a deadly brain injury and had bruises all over body) as absolutely shocking.
He will deliver his judgment on Wednesday, 6 December.
In the previous court appearance, Kobus Koekemoer admitted he might have caused some of Poppie’s injuries, but denied that he was responsible for her death, pointing to his wife as her killer.
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