In a 50-minute judgement read in court, magistrate Habib found Kleave van Staden guilty as charged on one count of murder of his wife Jamillah.
She delivered the judgement at Booyens Magistrate’s Court on June 7. In her judgement, Habib mentioned Jamillah suffered not less than nine injuries, with two to the chest, which were fatal.
These were some of the facts established in the judgement:
• On January 8, 2022, at their home in Forest Hill, the accused (Van Staden) and the deceased (Jamillah) were involved in an argument. There were three children in the house. The deceased suffered some injuries, and two of those injuries were fatal. Police found her with a knife in her hand.
• It was also noted the accused’s evidence was the only evidence in the court. Both children testified satisfactorily, and they corroborated their testimonies. The younger girl’s testimony despite her age, was clear and concise. They both provided evidence that was consistent and without contradiction.
• Magistrate Habib said the burnt meat was a catalyst of the fight as the accused threw the microwave onto his son. When the son ran to his mother for refuge, the accused continued to be angry.
• The accused’s evidence was contradictory, both during the bail application and during the trial. He was a poor witness to the court. With that said, magistrate Habib said she weighed all the probabilities and improbabilities and found Van Staden guilty as charged for this one count of murder.
There will be a case study that will take two weeks, and the next sitting is on June 21.
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