De Jager was in hospital for over a week

WERNER de Jager spent 10 days at Durban’s King Edward VIII Hospital before succumbing to the medication he is said to have overdosed on while at Westville Prison.

Also read: BREAKING NEWS: Werner de Jager dies in jail

According to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), De Jager was admitted to the hospital on April 5 after suffering a ‘medical emergency’. The news of his death broke out after he died on the morning of April 15.

An arrangement had been made during his bail hearing earlier this year that he be provided with the psychiatric medication that his doctor had prescribed.

De Jager died while on trial after he was accused of killing his wife and the mother of his two young children, Reverend Liezel de Jager. He was denied bail in February and was supposed to face the magistrate on May 10.

During his bail hearing, it was revealed that he had previously tried to commit suicide 12 times while still married to Liezel and after her death.

Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez said the organisation learned of De Jager’s death with mixed emotions.

“Our hearts go out to Liezel’s young daughters who have lost both parents, and we pray for strength for her parents, Henk and Salomé, who have been their guardians since Liezel’s death. We will continue to seek justice for Liezel. We owe it to her daughters, family and friends to see this case through and get the answers and justice Liezel deserves,” said du Preez.

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