The bail conditions of alleged wife killer Rob Packham, from Constantia, has been adjusted slightly.
The 57-year-old Packham is allowed to have contact with one of his sisters, Judith Markwell, Netwerk24 reported. However, they are not allowed to talk about the trial as she is one of the State witnesses, advocate Susan Galloway said on Wednesday. He is not allowed to contact any other State witness.
He has had to surrender his car and bank statements as the investigation into the murder of his wife of 30 years, Gill Packham, continues.
Her charred body was found days after her disappearance on February 22 in the boot of a burnt BMW vehicle at the Diep River train station. She was identified through forensic DNA comparison. One of her daughters, Nicole Packham, 25, had reported her missing.
During the bail application, the court heard the couple had had marital problems, adding the accused had sent his wife a cellphone message saying, “thinking of calling it a day”.
The court also heard that traces of blood were found in Rob Packham’s car, the garage and bathroom of their home. The blood was presumed to be that of his wife.
The accused was released on R50 000 bail. He has been restricted to house arrest at his home as part of the bail conditions.