Court hears how husband was abused, killed

Published Jan 31, 2012

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An alleged prostitute abused the man she married and eventually arranged for his murder, the Pietermaritzburg High Court heard on Tuesday.

Before he was murdered Richards Bay pensioner Allan Griffiths, 60, was angry when his attorney told him his wife, Thenjiwe Ignatia, would inherit half his estate as they were married in community of property

The attorney, Connie Marais, said his client had been angry because Ignatia allegedly assaulted and abused him so much he had to obtain a protection order against her.

Sometimes she locked him out of the house and once allegedly hurt his arm so badly it had to be treated by a doctor.

Griffiths wanted his entire estate to go to his three children, but he and Ignatia were married in community of property. Marais said Griffiths had told him Ignatia was a prostitute. She has pleaded not guilty to the murder.

He said he paid her R1300 a night to stay at his house until the morning before they were married.

They met in Richards Bay in 2005 at De Caprio Bar, which was frequented by visiting sailors, some of whom met women there. Within a week of their marriage, she moved out of his bedroom.

A few months later, in January 2006, Griffiths was strangled while they were driving from Johannesburg to Richards Bay. The State alleges Ignatia arranged for men who pretended to be hitch-hikers to kill him. The couple picked them up en route to Richards Bay.

Near Colenso, her accomplices allegedly attacked and strangled Griffiths and left his body at the side of the road.

Ignatia's accomplices dropped her off and left in Griffiths's car, which they later abandoned. She made her way to Estcourt, where she told police she and Griffiths had been hijacked. Griffiths had died of asphyxia and had chest injuries.

Defence advocate Shane Matthews said much of the State's evidence was hearsay and he had not been given copies of it timeously. Prosecutor Dorian Paver said the evidence should be admitted by the court as it was relevant to the case. - Sapa

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