The mother accused of abusing her five children in the Springs House of Horrors case appeared before regional magistrate Bennita Oswell in Springs Regional Court on this afternoon.
At the time of publishing, only one of a number of witnesses, scheduled to testify today, had been called to the stand and the hearing was ongoing.
The investigating officer, W/O Rudolph Janse van Vuuren, from the family violence, child protection and sexual offenses unit, was the first to testify.
He opposed bail saying that the police are worried about witness tampering if she is allowed out of prison.
He testified that two of her children – her 16-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son – are the main witnesses in the case and if released on bail, police fear she would have free access to them and attempt to influence their testimony.
He commented that the police are also worried about her tampering with or influencing some of the other witnesses the state will call to make its case.
It is believed that she will face the same charges as her husband.
These are child abuse, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, defeating the ends of justice and attempted murder.
Her defense indicated that she would testify on Tuesday afternoon.
The charges were not read to her and she was not asked to plead during the bail hearing.
An Addie journalist was in court until the conclusion of the day’s hearing.
For the full story visit this site later today.
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