EVANDER – The two people arrested on Saturday in connection with the disappearance and apparent murder of Mr Mervin van Heerden of Karmer Meat Market in Evander, have been released on warning.
Ms Karen van Heerden, the ex wife, and an employee, Mr Darrello Lutgie Soetmelk, appeared in the Evander Magistrate’s Court today, 6 August.
Magistrate Cornu Roos heard their bail applications in separate hearings.
Ms Van Heerden denied any involvement in the crime.
She is at present facing a charge of defeating the ends of justice for being an accessory after the fact.
The State claimed that she was informed of Mr Van Heerden’s murder but failed to report it to the police.
They did not oppose bail. Magistrate Roos released her from custody on a warning to appear in court on 13 September.
The State opposed bail being granted to Mr Soetmelk.
Mr Godfrey Maake, state prosecutor, said Mr Soetmelk is suspected as an accomplice in the murder and that he disposed of the body.
Mr Soetmelk denied any involvement in the crime.
Mr Roos ruled that disposing of the body does not proof that Mr Soetmelk was the murderer.
He also released Mr Soetmelk on a warning to return to court on 13 September.
Watch the events as it happened:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/120910/watch-charred-body-found-evander/
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/120891/evander-businessman-missing-abandoned-car-found-evander-dumping-site/
