Johannesburg - There has been a twist in the case of a man charged with kidnapping after the disappearance of his wife a year-and-a-half ago.
Although Nicolette Albertyn's body has not been found, her husband Fadiel is now accused of murdering her.
Albertyn disappeared in March last year.
In a statement handed to court, police said they found blood at the couple's home. The DNA revealed that the blood belonged to both of them.
During his bail application in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court, Fadiel denied that he had anything to do with his wife's disappearance or death.
He said his wife's blood was found at their home because she had had a nosebleed as it was hot and had also cut herself on a tin that week while preparing food. Fadiel said his head was cut after Albertyn threw a glass at him.
"There is an officer always harassing me, saying I must show them where the body is and give a new statement. I did not kill or kidnap my wife," he said.
The woman's family believe the police have the right man and have always suspected that Fadiel knew what happened to their loved one.
Albertyn's sister Jolene Esterhuizen said it was difficult seeing her sister's alleged murderer looking well while she and her family battle to get answers about what happened to Albertyn.
"I was filled with many emotions when I saw him; it was scary. I could not stand to see him. He is so prim and proper like nothing happened. All I feel is anger towards him," Esterhuizen said.
She and her sister, Fiona Abrahams, as well as their mother, Janet Abrahams, said Albertyn was in an abusive marriage and had opened assault cases against Fadiel. The police confirmed that.
Janet said that a month before her disappearance, Albertyn had told her that Fadiel had threatened to kill her, then dump her body in a dustbin so that she was never found.
Fiona said Albertyn spent time in hospital after Fadiel had stabbed her. In another incident, the couple were fighting when he allegedly threw bricks at his wife. One of them hit their four-year-old daughter.
The case has been postponed to next Wednesday.
The Star