UPDATE – 22 July 13:07
The case has been postponed again to July 26.
Thus, Grobler will be held in custody until his next court appearance.
Defence for Louis Grobler states they have yet to receive a J88 (injury) form
UPDATE – 22 July 13:07
Grobler’s defence claims they have yet to receive the J88 form and asked why it was not yet available.
They asserted, it is because it presumably does not support the state’s argument.
*** The J88 form is generated by the Department of Justice and is the accepted document in terms of our legislation to be used in South African Courts as the preferred method of adducing evidence in a criminal matter involving the injuries sustained by a complainant in a rape, assault, or attempted murder case.
Catch up on all the previous articles: HERE
Louis Grobler’s defence team says he did not flee the scene
UPDATE – 22 July 12:14
The defence team claims to have a valid and strong defence, which contributes to Grobler not being a flight risk.
They also claimed that Grobler did not act maliciously or unlawfully, and that the incident was an unfortunate accident in which the children were injured.
They also made reference to the fact that, unlike a criminal, he did not flee the scene; instead, he called an ambulance and the police, who then detained him there.
“Not a flight risk”
UPDATE – 22 July 11:50
The defence team for Louis Grobler has cited numerous precedents to support their position that their client should also be released on bail.
Defence also discussed his character and the fact that Grobler is a family man.
He is said to have been a farmer for 22 years and his team stated that he’s a distinguished member of the community that was born and raised in Ermelo.
Additionally, they asserted that he has no contacts or assets outside of SA which means he is not a flight risk.
Court is now in session
UPDATE – 22 July 09:45
The Magistrate Thibedi Motsepe and the legal teams along with the accused have entered the court.
The defence had begun stating it’s case before the postponement of the bail application on 20 July.
Grobler’s defence attorney, Mario Jungbluth, stated through an affidavit submitted for court records that the incident was an accident.
He claimed that the children appeared out of the cornfields and that the vehicle could not brake in time to miss them.
The accused is said to have been the one who dispatched police and medical services to the scene of the accident.
His legal team is currently motivating the accused’s case in favour of his bail application.
Outside the courthouse, police are on hand to keep the peace.
*** Refresh the page for updates
Crowd starts to gather outside court where Ermelo farmer stands accused of attempted murder and assault
22 July 09:27
ERMELO – A group of protesters opposing the bail of accused Ermelo farmer, Louis Johannes Grobler (41) have gathered outside the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court this morning, 22 July.
The MEC for community safety, security and liaison in Mpumalanga Vusi Shongwe, has also just arrived.
Grobler is charged with three counts of attempted murder and assault with the intent to cause grevious bodily harm.
This stems from an incident on his farm where Grobler is said to have allegedly run over two children and allegedly assaulted another.
At the time of publication on 20 July, the state prosecutor and state witnesses were still conducting the case against the accused’s bail application.
Once this has been done, the accused’s case in favour of his bail application will be presented by his legal team.
Highvelder will be in court to report on these proceedings throughout to fairly and accurately portray the court proceedings as it happens.
Catch up on all the previous articles: HERE
