‘Springs Monster’s’ fearful kids to relate horror

A Springs father and mother, who cannot be identified, are facing 22 charges relating to abuse and neglect of their five children. Pictures: Masi Losi

A Springs father and mother, who cannot be identified, are facing 22 charges relating to abuse and neglect of their five children. Pictures: Masi Losi

Published May 25, 2016

Share

Pretoria - The two children of the so-called “Springs Monster” couple sat in a small room at court on Tuesday, waiting to testify against their parents. This, while their mother cut a lone figure, sitting a few metres away, waiting for the case to start.

The 36-year-old woman is out on bail with stringent conditions, including that she may not have contact with any of the State witnesses - including her two children.

The children - now aged 13 and 18 - are so terrified of their parents that they do not want to see them. The court ruled that they may testify in an adjacent room, through CCTV.

The two, as well as their three other siblings, were removed from their parents’ care in 2014 when the police raided their home.

On Tuesday everything was in place for the children to take the stand in the high court in Pretoria to testify against their parents, but Judge Eben Jordaan agreed with the prosecution that it would be better for them to testify early in the morning, before they were tired.

They are now expected to start testifying on Wednesday when proceedings get under way earlier than usual. The 13-year-old boy is expected to go first. The courtroom will be closed to the public during their evidence.

The case was only called shortly before noon on Tuesday, as Judge Jordaan is conducting three trials this week. He was roped in to assist with this trial, as he is Afrikaans speaking, and the accused cannot understand any other language.

Prosecutor Jennifer Cronje told the court: “The children are here and ready to testify, but especially the boy is young and very emotional.”

She told the judge that the boy’s evidence would have be heard in piecemeal fashion, as he would need breaks.

The children’s father, who remained in custody after being refused bail, was briefly brought from the holding cells for the case to be postponed.

His wife and co-accused - who claimed she she was “also his victim” - once again made a point of avoiding him.

[email protected]

Pretoria News

Related Topics: