Man in court after beating girlfriend with spade in front of her children

More shocking details about the horrific murder of a Plettenberg Bay woman who was allegedly beaten to death with a spade by her partner have come to light as the suspect appeared in court for a formal bail application.

In a widely welcomed about-turn, the suspect abandoned his right to apply for bail on Wednesday, August 16.

The suspect is accused of viciously beating his 32-year-old girlfriend to death in their Kwanokuthula home in July this year, Knysna Plett Herald reported.

Her body was allegedly left in their home for days before police made the grisly discovery.

According to police spokesman Captain Marlene Pieterse, the incident was believed to have happened the evening of July 21, 2017, and the body was discovered two days later.

“Our preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was beaten up in front of the couple’s two children who are six and seven years old respectively. The victim was beaten several times with a spade and afterwards the suspect allegedly boiled water and poured it over the victim. It is also believed that he then proceeded to clean the blood left on the floor,” Pieterse said.

She added the suspect then allegedly covered the victim’s body with a blanket, left her on the floor and went to bed.

“It was only the next morning that the suspect allegedly took the two children to their grandmother.”

After neighbours raised the alarm and family reported a missing person, police went to the suspect’s home on July 23, forced the door open and discovered the victim’s body still on the floor.

The suspect was arrested on July 30, 2017, and subsequently appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates’ Court.

The matter was then transferred to the Knysna Magistrates’ Court for a formal bail application on August 16.

The incident has since seen major outcry from the community, family and friends and groups against the abuse of women. There have subsequently been two protests and a petition against the suspect’s release on bail.

After his appearance in Knysna, the suspect indicated that he no longer wished to apply for bail and the matter was referred back to Plettenberg Bay on August 21.

This decision saw jubilation among supporters of victim’s family and those who gathered at the court against his release. Some, however, said that they wanted him released, as they felt like “dealing with him themselves”.

On Monday the matter was postponed until September 14 for further investigation.

– Caxton News Service