Man has 'too much to lose' to punch domestic‚ court hears

23 May 2018 - 12:09 By Nomahlubi Jordaan
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Kobus de Klerk exits the Randburg Magistrates court in Johannesburg. File photo
Kobus de Klerk exits the Randburg Magistrates court in Johannesburg. File photo
Image: Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times

If Kobus de Klerk really had assaulted his domestic worker‚ she would have been hospitalised‚ argued his counsel‚ advocate Lize Nel in court on Wednesday.

"It's impossible for you to have sustained those injuries considering the weight and height of the accused‚" said to his former employee.

Nel told Siyamthanda Dube that De Klerk weighs 120 kg and is almost two metres tall. "If a man his size punches a woman your size‚ you would not have been able to block that punch‚" Nel said.

De Klerk‚ 47‚ is on trial in the Randburg Magistrate's Court facing a charge of assault for allegedly attacking Dube. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Dube has alleged that De Klerk repeatedly beat her in front of her four-year-old daughter last year. De Klerk assaulted her because she had taken her sick daughter to the clinic‚ Dube said.

Nel said De Klerk denied assaulting her. "He has too much to lose. He would have lost his job‚ his medical aid and his children would not be attending the schools they are attending."

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now