On Tuesday, 13 December, the ex-husband of Candice Leslie (née Fritz) appeared in the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court for the fourth time for a bail application. In November, Fritz, a 37-year-old mother of two young children was found brutally murdered in her car.
The Herald was informed on Friday, 9 December by Woman Against Women and Child Abuse (Wawa) that they were inviting the community to join them at 7.30am on 13 December at the Toekomsrus Police Station where they will begin a protest against bail being granted to the suspected murderer that will continue all the way to the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court.
The Herald attended the first court hearing on 16 November and his fourth appearance yesterday (13 December). The Herald noticed members of the community, family and friends, wearing T-shirts with Fritz’s photo on the front. On the back of the T-shirts is printed, “No bail, justice for Candy”.
When Magistrate Elbie Botha started the proceedings at 9am, various other cases were heard first. Magistrate Botha noticed the support by about 50 family and friends in Court B, but Advocate Nel, the suspect’s legal representative kept everyone waiting in suspense as she had not arrived yet.
At about 11.30am Nel requested Magistrate Botha to postpone the bail application to 9 February 2017 as she was engaged in another court hearing.
The ex-husband of the deceased did, however, appear in court. His dreadlocks were neatly tied up and he was wearing a light brown jersey. He immediately made eye contact with the Herald and then continued listening to Magistrate Botha. On leaving the court room, one of Fritz’s supporters said out loud to the suspect who was exiting the court room, “Jou f@#$#& hond”.
The Herald spoke to a reliable source who confirmed that the suspect will be taken back to the Krugersdorp Correctional facility. The Herald also spoke to Grant Fritz, the victim’s brother, who said,
“We are happy about the outcome as we know now he will be behind bars until February. We are a bit disappointed that the case was once again postponed.”
The suspect would have applied for bail on 29 November, but the application was postponed because his legal representative was unavailable on that day.
The first time the murder suspect appeared in court was Wednesday, 16 November, where family and friends were already protesting against his bail application.
During the court proceedings on 16 November, the Herald witnessed the community’s immense support for the victim. Magistrate Botha then confirmed that the charge against the suspect was one of murder and that the victim had been stabbed repeatedly before succumbing to her injuries.
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