Wife of 'Springs Monster' charged
Alleged refusal to cooperate and conflicting statements calling for her husband's release as "he has done no wrong" has led to the wife of the "Springs Monster" being charged as an accomplice in the abuse of their five children.
The 34-year-old peroxide-blonde, wearing a fake white and black fur coat, made a brief appearance yesterday at the Springs Magistrate's Court to face charges of child abuse, attempted murder and grievous bodily harm.
Magistrate Roy l e Roux remanded her in custody until July 1.
For weeks, she and her children have been in places of safety following the discovery of the family's alleged child abuse secret at their Springs home. It was here that the children, aged 3, 4, 7, 11 and 16, were allegedly tied up and tortured for years.
The alleged abuse was discovered last month after her11-year-old son escaped and alerted neighbours.
The mother, according to Springs resident Francis Steyn and grocery store staff, regularly went shopping and kept the children locked up at home.
The woman, arrested on Monday night, has allegedly refused, according to police, to acknowledge her husband's suspected crimes.
A policeman said she told detectives her husband "has done nothing wrong".
"She's convinced of his innocence, wants him released and says all she and the children want is to return to him."
The father's aunt, who may not be named to protect the identity of the children, said she saw the children and their mother, "who is also innocent", last week.
"They're fine. They love him, especially his wife, and want to return to him.
"Instead of providing the parents with help, the police want to destroy this perfectly loving family."
Forensic psychologist, Dr Jackie de Wet, said people like the mother could be showing signs of indoctrination.
"It's similar to the Stockholm Syndrome where a person believes in their kidnapper's innocence.
"They have a blind belief, where for years they have been told that what is happening to them is for their 'own good'.
"What is happening here could be from exposure to intense emotional elements where one's moral code of right or wrong is overridden."
Forensic psychologist Dr Giada Del Fabbro said in such cases a person usually had a huge dependency on another for their psychological survival.
"For some it can, on a primitive level, be associated with physical survival.
"It's not so much defending the actions of the person, but rather securing their survival.
"The person, through fear, won't be able to see that if the other person is behind bars they can no longer be harmed."