De Jager teen witness testifies in camera

Cape Town 131118-Johannes de Jager, a man accused of murdering Charmaine Mare appeared at Cape Town High court. Picture Cindy waxa.Reporter Jade/Argus

Cape Town 131118-Johannes de Jager, a man accused of murdering Charmaine Mare appeared at Cape Town High court. Picture Cindy waxa.Reporter Jade/Argus

Published Feb 17, 2014

Share

 

Cape Town - A teenage girl testified in camera in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on Monday in the trial of a man accused of dismembering a 16-year-old girl.

Journalists were told to wait outside while the State witness gave her testimony against 48-year-old Johannes Christiaan de Jager.

At one point, the court took a 15-minute break because the girl was in tears.

De Jager has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mpumalanga resident Charmaine Mare in January last year.

He has also denied raping and killing prostitute Hiltina Alexander in May 2008.

De Jager was living with his girlfriend, her daughter, and his son in a house in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, at the time of Mare's death. Mare had been staying at the house during a holiday visit to the daughter.

In November, the court heard it was highly probable Mare could have fatally injured herself by falling and hitting her head against the rim of a bath.

De Jager previously explained he had dismembered Mare's corpse in a state of panic after finding her body.

The girl's torso was found burned in a field in Kraaifontein. Her lower legs and arms were discovered in separate locations in a state of decomposition. - Sapa

Related Topics: