“I am genuinely sorry,’ said murder accused
“I believe I am a child of God, how can I call myself a child of God if I can’t forgive you because God forgives me every day,” said Ms Johanna Rossouw’s daughter Ms Juna Heinsen.
‘Edenpark murder’ accused admitted to using drugs on the day he murdered 86-year old Ms Johanna Rossouw.
He pleaded guilty to the murder that sent shockwaves through the community on January 31.
In an exclusive interview with WITBANK NEWS on Wednesday, December 1 Mr Tertius du Plessis said he is genuinely sorry for brutally murdering Rossouw.
“I wish I could turn back the time. Right now I have nothing to lose except my soul,” he said.
Du Plessis said he is living his sentence every single day.
He said he does not know what came over him on that day.
He left the house where he was staying on the old Middelburg Road and went to town to buy pizza, but he landed up in a local online casino and gambled out all his money.
He pawned his cell phone at the online casino for more money but also lost that.
He then went across the road to Eden Park Retirement Village where he saw an open door and went inside.
Not expecting anyone at home he unplugged the television and looked for valuables to pawn.
That is when Rossouw stumbled upon him.
“I asked her to keep quiet and saw a knife, which I took and stabbed her repeatedly.”
He then took her cell phone and fled the scene.
He handed himself over to Mondeor Police Station shortly afterwards. He told WITBANK NEWS he does not sleep and when he does manage to drift away he sees Rossouw in his dreams.
“I am 200% convinced that if I had gone to her and told her I was hungry, she would have given me something to eat.”
At first, he said he wanted to write a letter to Rossouw’s family, but once on the witness stand, he was allowed to address Rossouw’s family.
He cried openly and said: “I am genuinely sorry. I wish I could take everything back, I do not deserve mercy.”
“I saw a picture of her in WITBANK NEWS and she looked so happy. I realised I killed her.”
Sorrow was etched deep into Ms Juna Heinsen, Rossouw’s daughter’s face when Du Plessis looked straight at her.
Hearing his words, she gently nodded.
The court heard that Du Plessis had a previous track record of nine house break-ins and the use of drugs against him.
“Please warn children not to steal. Stealing can take you to murder, that is where I am today. I don’t think I will ever see my mother again, I am going to get a life sentence …”
READ MORE:
Edenpark murder – suspect wants a lawyer that believes him
Elderly murdered at old age home
Edenpark murder – Elderly’s car found
Edenpark murder – suspect hands himself over
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