Johannesburg - According to Eyewitness News, a district surgeon has found that the man accused of throwing acid over his former girlfriend Ines Antonio is not mentally ill and is ready to stand trial.
The report compiled by the district surgeon is expected to be presented in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court next week when Jan Pieterse’s case resumes.
Investigating officer Edith Thaisa failed to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in the attempted murder and intimidation case, and the docket could not be found.
Magistrate A Roux ordered Thaisa to appear in court to explain why there had been no progress in the matter and why the accused, Pieterse, 40, had not been sent to the district surgeon for an assessment as he had ordered.
In court on Thursday morning, Thaisa said she was unaware that she had to take him to the surgeon, but would do so immediately.
The district surgeon had to determine whether Pieterse would have been referred to the Sterkfontein psychiatric hospital for 30 days.
In the meantime, the Norwood Community Police Forum on Thursday assisted Pieterse’s former girlfriend, Ines Antonio, 23, to move into a safe house, fearing for her safety if Pieterse was released.
The Star