Ebotse shooting case postponed as shooter appears in court

The court decided to remand the accused at the Benoni Police Station until his next court appearance.

Liebenberg, who is the director of Super Sound and Accessories, in Springs, is accused of shooting dead his daughter’s boyfriend, Dewalt “Poenie” Visser (20), and his father, Dewalt Visser Snr (46), at the accused’s home at Ebotse, on Thursday, October 31.

Police said last week that the shooting is believed to be the result of a domestic dispute.

Poenie, who matriculated at Hoërskool Brandwag, and his father were declared dead on the scene.

Poenie and his father worked at the family business, Visser Plant and Tool Hire, in Benoni.
On Monday, the court heard from Liebenberg’s attorney, Advocate Marius van Wyngaardt, about the injuries sustained by his client before the shooting.

These include an open wound on his inner lip; a loose front tooth; the left side of his jaw is sore (which has apparently resulted in him battling to eat since he has been in custody); he has a sore and sensitive collar bone; the left side of his chest and head are sore and sensitive; his back is also sore and he has a stiff neck.

The defence team has roped in private investigator Danie Day to investigate whether Liebenberg acted in self defence and to investigate the deceaseds’ characters.

According to Riaan Hendriksz, whose father did business with Dewalt Snr, and who has himself done business with Liebenberg, the Vissers’ close family are traumatised by the incident.

Hendriksz said Poenie’s mother has been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Linmed Hospital for over two weeks, for a brain-related illness.

He said she has been notified of the shooting and is shocked and traumatised by the news.
Chevonne Liebenberg (20), a Hoërskool Dr E G Jansen matriculant – daughter of the accused and Poenie’s girlfriend – is being sedated in a Benoni hospital for shock.

She was taken to hospital the night of the shooting and her mother, and ex-wife of the accused, Lizelle Carter, is unsure when she will be discharged.

“She is not doing good, as can be expected,” said Carter.

“She was right next to where the incident happened.

“We are taking each day at a time.”

The mother said her son, Sheldon Liebenberg, will also be admitted to hospital for shock.
Ebotse expressed sympathy to the affected families the day after the incident.

“We obviously find it tragic,” said Vincent Cockbain, vice-chairman of the Ebotse Home-owners Association.

“You would not want that to happen to anyone, but, unfortunately, it has happened.

“We (Ebotse) will give as much support as possible to the family, and respect their privacy.”
Cockbain did not want to divulge details of the incident, but said the estate’s security was not breeched.

Since the incident, the City Times has received hordes of comments on the story of the shooting; with some condemning Liebenberg’s actions.