The bail application of the Springs man accused of abusing his wife and five children, was heard in the Springs Regional Court today (Wednesday).
Magistrate Roy le Roux, postponed the bail application hearing, which was heard in Afrikaans, until tomorrow at 9am when a decision will be taken whether to grant bail.
The man is being accused of child abuse, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, rape and defeating the ends of justice.
The man, who has yet to be asked to plead to any charges, appeared to be emotional at times, wiping his eyes continuously.
The court heard Warrant Officer Rudi Jansen testify about his search of the house, looking for the 11-year-old boy who brought this case to the attention of the police when he escaped from his father’s house on May 21 and requested help from the neighbours.
Jansen explained to the court what happened from the time they received a complaint about the abuse of the 11-year-old boy.
In detail, he explained what injuries the boy had sustained when they found him in Warden on May 23.
The boy had allegedly been assaulted with a ‘knopkierie’ in the past, leaving several scars on his head.
Jansen testified, when the boy was taken back to his parents’ house by his father, following his plead to the neighbour for help, his father said “vanaand kry jy ‘n pakslae”.
Jansen says the boy, in his statement, said his father sat on top of him and repeatedly hit him, with his fist, in his face.
Some of the people in court cried when they heard the brutal allegations of how the boy was assaulted.
Jansen added the boy was allegedly hanged by his hands and feet in the doorway of the basement for two days.
Water was thrown at him and a fan put on to dry him.
The court also heard there are more than 16 scars on the 11-year-old boy’s head.
Jansen added the accused’s wife was scared of him as she was assaulted too.
According to Jansen’s testimony she was stabbed in the buttocks with a knife, and hit with a pool cue in the face and ribs.
The man is also accused of raping and assaulting his wife.
Defence lawyer Sog van Eck pointed out that the case has been well covered in the media, now that the Oscar Pretorius case is on hold.
A petition handed in as Exhibit A, was signed by many people, but van Eck says it is not a valuable petition as the handwriting in a number of places looks the same.
Van Eck asked Jansen if the boy sustained any fractures from the alleged assault, but Jansen explained a full body X-ray needs to be done to establish that.
Police psychologist Brigadier Gerard Labuschagne said, in his 45 minute evaluation with the accused, he did not see any red flags, but anger management is recommended.
The court heard, from Jansen, that the accused’s 16-year-old daughter said she would lie for her father and she loves him dearly.
The 11-year-old boy also claims he loves his father.
The children are currently being kept at a place of safety while their mother is living with a relative.
Van Eck says the accused is not a danger to society and will not interfere with the investigation if he is granted bail.
Judgement will be rendered tomorrow when the man will hear whether his bail has been granted or not.
He is remanded in custody at Modderbee Prison.
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