Some grim details regarding the murder of Candice Fritz (née Fritz), 37, were heard when her ex-husband appeared in the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court for a bail application earlier today (3 March).
On the evening of 13 to 14 November, Fritz, the mother of two young children, was found brutally murdered in her car. Her ex-husband was arrested on the morning of 14 November by the Randfontein Police and has been charged with her murder.
At the first court appearance, Magistrate Elbie Botha confirmed that the charge against Fritz’ ex-husband was one of murder and that Fritz had been stabbed repeatedly before succumbing to her injuries.
Magistrate Botha presided over the hearing, while State Prosecutor Advocate Rolene Bester acted on the State’s behalf. Fritz’ ex-husband’s legal representative is Advocate Amanda Nel. Detective Warrant Officer Rupert van Zyl is the investigating officer in this case, and was also present in the court.
The case has previously been postponed for various reasons, but today Fritz’ family and friends were ready to hear whether her ex-husband would be granted bail. Family and friends, residents of Toekomsrus, and Women against Women and Child Abuse (WAWA) had, on a previous occasion, protested in front of the Magistrates’ Court, demanding that he be denied bail.
As at previous hearings, the courtroom was packed with support for Fritz. Today, for the first time, the suspect’s two sisters and aunt also attended the proceedings. The suspect, 37, a former Nedbank employee, said in a statement read by Advocate Nel that he believes in his defence. For the first time the court heard that the charge is for a Schedule 6 crime, and that it has now turned from a murder to a rape and murder charge.
The details of this tragic murder then came to light. Fritz’ ex-husband had a interim protection order against him, and, according to Advocate Bester, a handwritten application by Fritz for another protection order had been lodged. This was in the time before their divorce, namely August last year.
For the first time it came to light that the police had searched the suspect’s house, where blood was found on the wall in the passage. They also found towels with blood on them, bloody clothes and a broken window. Photos of the blood-spattered house were handed up to Magistrate Botha. A pair of men’s underpants was also found in a dustbin.
It was revealed that the Randfontein Police had taken the suspect to a doctor where it was established that he had a cut on his finger and small scratch-like injuries. The suspect explained in his statement that the reason for this was that he and a friend had been drinking the previous day, and had ended up in a physical fight with one another. It was disclosed for the first time that a Samurai sword had also been found, with alleged blood on it. In the statement, the suspect said that the underpants were in the dustbin because they were too tight.
Family and friends turned pale when it came to light that Fritz was found in her red Polo, with her pants pulled half-way down. The police also found a leaf on her genitals, and a substance, that is alleged to be semen, coming from her genitals. There were bite marks on her right breast, and various stab wounds, all more or less 3 cm in length, bruises and scratches were found on her body. Bruises were also found on her back, suggesting that she had been dragged some distance.
The results of the testing of DNA and the white substance were not yet available. The investigating officer (Van Zyl) said in his report that the statements by witnesses are also still outstanding, because the community fears that if the suspect is released on bail, he will intimidate them, or worse. He said his investigation could take another three to six months.
According to the suspect, Fritz had come to fetch their 9-year-old son from the suspect’s home, which was jointly owned by Fritz and her ex-husband. Fritz wanted to take the child to her home, but according to the suspect, the child was asleep and he told Fritz that she should leave him to sleep over. Fritz refused and they then went outside to discuss the matter.
There is a possibility that the son witnessed the crime, but he has not spoken to anybody about what he saw, and is currently undergoing counselling.
According to the suspect, Fritz then left. Fritz was staying with her brother, Grant Fritz at the time.
The outcome of the bail application will be heard on 15 March, in the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
Also read:
Woman found dead in her car murdered
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