Wife of ‘Springs Monster’ sent for mental observation

The case of the Springs Monster couple, accused of abusing their five children in their Springs home, continued in the North Gauteng High Court on Monday.

During this appearance, the mother (38) of five, who stands accused of abusing and neglecting her children, was referred to the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria for 30 days mental observation.

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Judge Eben Jordaan granted the order in the North Gauteng High Court to determine if the mother suffers from any mental illness or defect and whether she could be held accountable for her actions.

A forensic assessment was done on the 38-year-old mother on February 26 in the presence of a social worker and intern forensic criminology student.

They were in possession of the psycho-legal report from Marina Genis, a clinical psychologist, Brig Gerhard Labuschagne’s evidence from the bail application, the couple’s charge sheet, medical reports, reports from a special school, a report from Col Johan Alberts of the Germiston explosives unit and several other important collateral documents.

According to facts which emerged during the assessment, the mother was a victim of a dysfunctional relationship with her anti-social personality type husband.

In a report by a forensic criminologist Pixie du Toit, she quoted a special school principal saying people with dyslexia on average have a low intelligence level, therefore, she cannot be held accountable for her actions.

Although the mother was a student at the same special school, the principal never knew her personally.

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Du Toit says the principal’s information on the “low intellect” of people with dyslexia, their inability to excel and to handle day-to-day situations, explains the mother’s inability to protect her children, take care of them and to keep her house clean and tidy.

The mother and her husband (38), who were arrested in June and May 2014 respectively, have pleaded not guilty to 41 of the 42 charges against them, including attempting to murder their then 11-year-old son as well as abusing and neglecting their children.

The father, dubbed the “Springs Monster” pleaded guilty to only one of the charges – interfering with a police officer while he was on duty during an investigation.

Various people has testified since the trial started on May 23, including the coupe’s two oldest children, who were called to testified in camera.

He remains in custody at the Modderbee Prison while his wife’s bail of R2 000 was extended.
Jordaan postponed the case until Thursday for the completion of documents for the mother’s mental observation and to determine a trial date.