‘Sunday rapist’ cries as ex-wife testifies

263 Johannes Steyn dubbed the Sunday rapist smiles at the Palmridge magistrates court where he faces multiple rape and murder charges. 240712. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

263 Johannes Steyn dubbed the Sunday rapist smiles at the Palmridge magistrates court where he faces multiple rape and murder charges. 240712. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Jul 30, 2012

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Johannesburg - Johannes Jacobus Steyn, dubbed the “Sunday rapist”, cried as his ex-wife took the stand in his trial on Johannesburg's East Rand on Monday.

He is being tried in the High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court in Alberton for the murder of schoolgirls Louise de Waal and Lazanne Farmer.

The court ordered that the ex-wife not be identified.

Steyn is also charged with 11 counts of rape, 10 of sexual assault, 10 of kidnapping, one of attempted sexual assault, one of attempted kidnapping, and two of assault.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

When asked why he always brought a Bible into court with him, Steyn said: “It gives me courage”.

He said his brother gave him the Bible in 2007.

Steyn said Psalm 43, especially, gave him courage. He kept a bookmark with pictures of his wife and child on that page.

The 11 girls Steyn allegedly attacked between 2008 and 2011 were aged between 11 and 18. - Sapa

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