#Swordmurder: Today’s court proceedings thus far

Two psychiatrists of the Sterkfontein Hospital, Doctors Navanthree Govender and Pralene Maharaj, who were on the panel that assessed Bauermeister, testified with a view to an appropriate sentence for him.

Maharaj told Magistrate Delize Smith that she was concerned that Bauermeister might be a danger to himself and others. She explained that she had found him to have a lack of accountability, a lack of genuine remorse and that he is narcissistic. She also said during his time at Sterkfontein Hospital he displayed “general rule violation”. She went on to say that he had a sense of self-entitlement, a high view of himself and a lack of genuine empathy.

When Smith asked Maharaj why she thought the accused was a danger to himself, she said he had a history of cutting himself and referred to the incident where he had cut his tongue in order for it to be reptilian-like. While in hospital he also displayed suicidal tendencies.

Maharaj said she questioned how effective psychotherapy would be since the relationship between a patient and psychologist should be based on honesty and openness. She said Bauermeister tended to be manipulative. He also felt misunderstood and had trust issues. She said when he arrived at the facility he tried to create the impression that he had mental problems and that he was demon-possessed. He also claimed he could only recollect certain parts of the incident.

She suggested that until he is 21 he should serve his sentence at the Child Youth Care Centre and then be re-evaluated by the same Sterkfontein Hospital panel. She also said it was critical that over and above the centre’s programmes he had to receive therapy from an accredited clinical psychologist with experience in such matters. Maharaj said some of the benefits of the centre are that there is parental involvement and that family issues could be addressed.

At the end of her testimony Bauermeister’s attorney, Hans Badenhorst posed the question to Maharaj whether she believed that there is a possibility that Bauermeister could be rehabilitated. She indicated that there is such a possibility. Her colleague Govender confirmed it.

The court was adjourned following Smith’s request that the state should attempt to get a representative of the centre to testify.

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