Spanish national charged with murdering his twins while visiting SA

A man has been charged with the murder of his twins - a boy and a girl aged three.

The mother came across their bodies when she arrived at the father's holiday home in Hout Bay on Thursday.

The father‚ who is a Spanish national‚ was in South Africa to visit his children. He is recovering in hospital and was represented in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court by his lawyer‚ William Booth.

Juan Smuts‚ lawyer for the mother and the family’s spokesman‚ said there was nothing unusual about the visit to South Africa.

"The father had come to South Africa to exercise his visitation rights‚" said Smuts.

Smuts also confirmed that the father booked an outbound flight for the afternoon of the murder.

"It is a very emotional time for client and family. The investigation is very sensitive‚" he said.

Booth confirmed that he is still in hospital. However Booth said he could not reveal the cause or nature of his injuries or when he will be discharged from the hospital.

"The father is still in hospital. He obtained injuries to his abdomen. He is still in a confused state in hospital‚" was all Booth would say about the man's state.

A post mortem - to determine the cause of the toddlers' deaths - is yet to be made public. Booth said that the relationship between the parents will be ''pivotal'' in the case.

The next court appearance will be on April 19.