“Springs Monster” weeps in High Court

During the testimony of a police explosives expert, the man dubbed the "Springs Monster" broke down in tears in the South Gauteng High Court today (June 9).

'Springs Monster' leaves the dock at the Springs Magistrates Court during one of his first court appearances.

The man and his wife stand accused of abusing and neglecting their five children.

The trial continued today after the completion of their two older children’s testimonies in camera last week.

Evidence was heard by Col Johan Alberts of the Germiston explosives unit, about “shock fireworks” found at the “house of horrors”.

When the police raided the house in May 2014, they reportedly found six fireworks to which nails had been attached with masking tap, as well as 10 boxes of shock fireworks, a bag filled with nails and masking tape in a briefcase.

He testified that the possession and use of fireworks in the original state as these were manufactured is not unlawful, but the possession and use of fireworks that had been tampered with is illegal.

Court reporter for Caxton’s The Citizen newspaper Ilse de Lange, who was in court, reports the children’s father had an emotional breakdown when Judge Eben Jordaan mentioned that the fireworks were apparently altered as a preventative measure during the “Night of the Long Knives” – a feared large-scale attack by blacks on whites touted for the night when former president Nelson Mandela died.

Boere prophet Siener van Rensburg predicted the attack which was often mentioned during the Boeremag trial, in which a group of right wing Afrikaners were sent to prison for treason.

Alberts testified that the nails would turn into shrapnel when the fireworks exploded and could injure people and said “the only purpose for the possession of such an altered firework would be to injure someone”.

Alberts’ response to questions by Judge Jordaan was: “The ordinary man on the street would know that fireworks exploded in all directions”.

“Fireworks with nails could be described as improvised weapons and are similar to homemade hand grenades, although not as effective,” he adds.

Judge Jordaan postponed the trial to October 31.

The husband will remain in custody while his wife’s bail of R2 000 was extended.