Everyone present in the South Gauteng High Court today was geared up for the last portion of the arguments from the legal representatives of the remaining three accused in the #KrugersdorpMurders case.
Advocate Nel, representing Zak Valentine, was the first to speak. She started by saying that the group initially started off as a ministry which was named Electus Per Deus, which means ‘Chosen by God’. She noted that she agreed with the State on the subject of Cecilia Steyn acting as the leader of the group, but explained that Zak thought he was doing good and wanted to help the children.
The State’s final arguments Part 1:
#KrugersdorpMurders — State says Cecilia was the ‘CEO’ of this murderous ‘company’
When Zak met Cecilia, she [Cecilia] claimed he and his wife Mikeila were part of the Overcomers Through Christ (OTC) group, and had taken part in the Know Your Enemy course within the group. He later became part of Electus Per Deus after leaving the OTC.
Yesterday, 23 May, the State attempted to prove that the group was an enterprise. Nel said there was no such enterprise and that the racketeering charges could not be proven. According to her, the evidence shows that Cecilia had told everyone that she was an occultist, and no evidence had been presented to prove that she was a born-again Christian.
She added that her client, Zak, is, without doubt, a Christian. Cecilia, however, spoke about Satanism with so much conviction and knowledge that it was hard for the group and others not to believe her. “It is our submission that she retained those powers. They may have disappeared at some time,” Advocate Nel said, while explaining that Cecilia could really have been a witch and part of the Satanic church.
She further described Cecilia as a pathological liar who used Satanism to get everyone to do what she wanted them to do. She explained that Ria Grunewald’s group were Christians, and Cecilia’s purpose was to destroy them. The moment Ria left the OTC, the ministry dissolved, and Cecilia got what she had initially wanted.
When it comes to the murder of Mikeila, Nel said that there’s insufficient evidence to prove that her client was involved. The motive, she stated, was that Cecilia sought control over the group, and Mikeila wanted her husband to stop giving them money. “So,” said Nel, “Cecilia had her killed”.
The State’s final arguments Part 2:
#KrugersdorpMurders — State continues with its final arguments
With regard to the fraud charges, and the possession of the unlicensed firearm charges, Nel said that the evidence cannot show that Zak had control of the firearm, and that he did not have knowledge about the specific charges mentioned. “I request the court to consider that we are not dealing with a normal case. With that in mind, consider the evidence and Zak’s case”.
Advocate Coetzer, representing Cecilia Steyn, will be next to address the Court. An update will follow as soon as possible.
