‘Springs Monster’ saga continues
The alleged 'Springs Monster' and his wife, who are accused of abusing their five children, will be back in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on March 20.
The couple briefly appeared in court on Monday, when a trial date was set for March 20 to March 31.
The trial will continue after the mother was referred to the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria for 30 days mental observation.
Judge Eben Jordaan granted the order on November 7, to determine if the mother suffers from any mental illness or defect and whether she could be held accountable for her actions.
The 38-year-old mother of five, will be discharged from the hospital on Monday.
Capt Johannes Ramphora, SAPS spokesman, says the report from the hospital will be handed over to the court on the day.
“From the report, the judge will determine whether the mother is fit to stand trial,” says Ramphora.
On February 26, a forensic assessment was done on the mother in the presence of a social worker and intern forensic criminology student.
According to facts which emerged during the assessment, the mother was a victim of a dysfunctional relationship with her anti-social personality type husband.
The father was arrested on May 23, 2014.
The police were called to the couple’s house in Springs after their then 11-year-old son ran to the neighbour for help.
The husband and wife have pleaded not guilty to charges including the attempted murder of their son and charges of child abuse and neglect.
Ramphora says the father pleaded not guilty to 21 charges, including the abuse and rape of his eldest daughter.
He pleaded guilty to one charge of stopping police from doing their work when they searched for one of his children in May 2014.
The mother pleaded not guilty to 20 charges.
Read:
- Wife of ‘Springs Monster’ sent for mental observation
- ‘Springs Monster’ child abuse trial continues
- ‘Springs Monster’ weeps in High Court
