Gauteng man denied bail for wife’s murder case

Bail was denied for former Edenvale CBD business owner Jorge Peres after he was charged with murdering his wife, Belinda Peres.

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Peres appeared in the Johannesburg’s Magistrates Court on December 1, a week after his arrest.

In court, the Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS learned Belinda died after being stabbed during the early hours of November 24 and not on November 23 as previously reported.

Belinda (52) was killed one day before the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. Started 20 years ago, the international campaign was launched to create awareness about GBV.

It starts annually on November 25.

The prosecution stated that Belinda’s body was bruised and that she had stab wounds to her upper body.

Jorge (53) was arrested in Linbro Park at The Reid on November 24.

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The NEWS previously reported that Sandringham Police Station’s communications officer Sergeant Phindile Mavuso said officers responded to the scene after Belinda’s family contacted the police.

Mavuso said Belinda’s body was found in the kitchen of the house. No murder weapon was found following a search.

“They found the suspect hiding on top of an electricity box 100m from the scene, inside the complex,” said Mavuso.

Arguing in support of bail, the defence stated that the accused was devasted and deeply hurt by his wife’s death.

The defence claimed their client had no previous convictions or pending cases and was not prone to violence.

It was stated that although the accused had two passports both of them had expired.

Identifying reasons why Jorge should be granted bail, his legal representatives stated that he has no intention to intimidate witnesses, or interfere with the case and intends to comply fully.

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The defence further argued that remaining in custody could affect Jorge’s medical condition, which include nervousness, anxiety mood swings and type one diabetes.

According to the prosecutor, Belinda requested assistance from her family and informed her sister that she had been stabbed. Upon arrival family members and complex security personnel, who were already responding to the matter, rushed to her residence.

At the home, family members and security discovered an off-duty police officer and the initial responding security officer trying to gain access to the residence.

Once access was gained, Belinda’s body, which was covered in blood, was found lying on her back.

It is believed Jorge was still at the property at this time but fled through a window.

After obtaining a description of the husband from the family, officers searched the complex and located him on top of an electrical box when they spotted his feet.

He was arrested and thereafter soon taken to Sandringham Police Station where an ambulance was called to treat his injured legs. It is unclear how his legs were injured.

Jorge was discharged from the hospital and taken into police custody on November 29.

Jorge’s affidavit stated he was arrested at Tembisa Hospital on November 24 under the circumstances of not having a coherent recollection of what happened as he was heavily sedated at the time.

He, therefore, had no recollection as to how he was admitted to the hospital and believes he was unconscious because of a diabetic coma.

Opposing his bail application, the prosecution argued that although his passports had expired Jorge enjoyed dual citizenship and was a citizen of Portugal.

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The prosecutor said all state witnesses were family members, Jorge owned multiple properties, he fled the scene of the crime and no other suspects had been identified.

The prosecution informed the court that it still required the post-mortem results and several statements.

Shortly before the court adjourned for lunch an affidavit, from the son of Belindal, was entered into the court.

The son’s affidavit claimed that there were several incidents of aggression by Jorge towards Belinda. It detailed one occasion where the victim needed to stay away from work for a week.

It also included printouts of photographs of the victim and messages to family members that detailed previous incidents between the couple.

Providing further reasons why Jorge should be granted bail, defence pointed out that residents and applicants are guaranteed the presumption of innocence.

The defence further argued that it believed that the prosecution had not proven why it would be in the interest of justice to deny Jorge bail.

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It highlighted that Jorge was a SA citizen who has no previous convictions, and a property portfolio worth millions of rands while the state needed to clarify exactly how the victim died and obtain additional evidence.

In response to this, the prosecutor argued that the state had provided all available information it had available. It was said that additional time was required to obtain further evidence.

As such the prosecution requested the next court date be set in January to allow for further investigation.

The state urged the court to use its discretion to grant or deny bail.

The magistrate said in the bail deliberation the affidavit by the son described Jorge as an evil person.

He said what counted against the accused was that he fled the murder scene, therefore displaying an unwillingness to cooperate, his access to funds, his previous aggressive behaviour and having dual citizenship.

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The court said although his passports had expired it viewed the matter negatively as this information wasn’t shared in confidence with the court.

Jorge will remain in custody until his next court appearance on January 23.

Belinda was laid to rest on December 2.

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