Judgment in ‘Sunday rapist’ trial begins

246-Johannes Steyn dubbed the Sunday rapist during his appearance at the Palmridge magistrates court where he faces multiple rape and murder charges 26.07.2012 Picture:Dumisani Dube

246-Johannes Steyn dubbed the Sunday rapist during his appearance at the Palmridge magistrates court where he faces multiple rape and murder charges 26.07.2012 Picture:Dumisani Dube

Published Sep 18, 2012

Share

 

Johannesburg - Judge Sita Kolbe started handing down her judgment to alleged “Sunday rapist” Johannes Jacobus Steyn in the High Court sitting in Alberton on Tuesday.

Kolbe would first summarise the evidence given in the trial, then announce her verdict.

The court was packed to capacity with family of the victims, members of the rights group Women and Men Against Child Abuse, and the media.

Steyn has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder, 11 of rape, 10 of sexual assault, 10 of kidnapping, one of attempted sexual assault, and one of attempted kidnapping.

The murder charges relate to the deaths of schoolgirls Louise de Waal and Lazanne Farmer.

He allegedly abducted De Waal in October last year while she was on her way to school in Roodepoort. It was just before her 17th birthday.

De Waal's burnt body was found on a Magaliesberg farm later the same day.

Steyn handed himself over at the Margate police station in KwaZulu-Natal the next day.

Farmer, 14, from Pretoria was kidnapped in September 2010 by a man in a bakkie. She died after jumping out of the bakkie in an attempt to escape.

Last week, the State contended that Steyn premeditated the killings, and used a fire enhancer when he set De Waal alight.

Prosecutor Mutuwa Nengovhela asked the court to take into consideration that most of De Waal's burns were on her thighs, suggesting that Steyn tried to destroy evidence.

Two alibi witnesses denied Steyn's claims that they were with him on the days some of the crimes were committed.- Sapa

Related Topics: