Murder suspect Jens Leunberg surrenders

A German man has handed himself over to the police to face charges of murdering Jeffreys Bay businessman Claus Schroeder.

According to The Herald Online Jens Leunberg, 34, handed himself over to police on Tuesday, two weeks after going underground.

He returned to Port Elizabeth and contacted his lawyer, Ryno Scholtz. He was taken into custody by the Hawks just an hour before his wife, German citizen Kristina Adler, made her third appearance in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court in connection with the 2009 murder.

"Leunberg phoned me to say he wanted to hand himself over to the police. I quickly summoned Warrant Officer Danie Siebert to come to my office to facilitate the handing-over," said Scholtz.

He said Leunberg will be jointly charged as accused number two. The couple are due to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Leunberg and Adler came to South Africa in 2007, allegedly leaving a trail of crime behind them. Besides the murder of Schroeder, they are also accused of fraud totalling R62 million.

Schroeder disappeared on August 14, 2009. His body has never been found. The state alleges the couple convinced the Schroeders they had the means to purchase their farm in Thornhill.

They allegedly forged bank documents showing the money was in their account. The police say Schroeder became suspicious, went to the farm to confront them and was killed.