Vet's suspected killer wants to plead guilty to 13 murders, attempted murders and rapes

A man accused of raping and killing a Lowveld veterinarian has told the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court that he intends to plead to all 13 charges involving murder, attempted murder and rape.

The man, 30, from Matsulu outside Mbombela, was handed the indictment at the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Friday for his trial to be heard in the Nelspruit circuit of the High Court in Pretoria.

Dr Rensia de Wet, 46, was repeatedly raped and stabbed to death in her home at the Nottinghill Equestrian Estate outside White River on December 8 2014.

She was found half naked in a pool of blood in her bedroom with multiple stab wounds. Her house had been ransacked and R40,000 cash, jewellery, laptops and clothes were stolen.

Released on parole in 2013

He had been released on parole earlier in 2013.

The accused faces other charges of housebreaking, rape and attempted murder of another woman in Mataffin outside Mbombela on December 12 2014.

State prosecutor, Isbet Erwee, said the accused faced additional charges of murder, robbery and rape involving Ester Zenzele Nyathi at Ngodwana on August 10 2014.

“He also faces another charge of housebreaking and theft at Weltevreden on October 2 2014,” said Erwee.

The man, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, told the court that he intends appointing a Legal Aid lawyer and to also plead guilty to all the charges he faced.

Intends pleading guilty

“As the state said, I committed all these offences, I understand them and intend to plead guilty to all of them,” said the man, speaking perfect Afrikaans. When he was told it was fine to speak in English or SiSwati, he fluently explained the same intention in both languages.

Magistrate Vanessa Joubert said arrangements will be made for his Legal Aid representation and copies of the docket would then be supplied.

“You will then make arrangements with your attorney regarding your plea. The case will then be preferred to the High Court,” Joubert said.

Joubert postponed the case to November 20 for the man to appoint legal representation.

Source: News24