Heyns murder trial set down for August

Dr Louis Heyns, a University of Stellenbosch medical professor, went missing last May. His body was found in a shallow grave in the Strand the same month.

Dr Louis Heyns, a University of Stellenbosch medical professor, went missing last May. His body was found in a shallow grave in the Strand the same month.

Published Apr 25, 2014

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Cape Town - Three men accused of involvement in the murder of paediatrician Dr Louis Heyns are likely to go on trial in August, the Western Cape High Court heard on Friday.

In a pre-trial conference, prosecutor Samantha Raphels said a trial date for Malmesbury business owner Juan Liedeman and brothers Marthinus and Sarel van der Walt had been set down for August 4.

Raphels said a possible plea agreement was on the table for Liedeman but that nothing had been finalised.

Judge President John Hlophe postponed the matter until May 23 for another pre-trial conference.

Heyns, a University of Stellenbosch medical professor, went missing last May. His body was found in a shallow grave in Strand the same month.

The brothers face charges of killing and robbing Heyns.

Liedeman faces charges for being found in possession of Heyns's stolen vehicle.

The Director of Public Prosecutions decided to charge him with robbery as an accessory after the fact, and defeating the ends of justice Ä both schedule six offences.

He was released on R20 000 bail in June last year, after proving that exceptional circumstances existed to warrant his release.

Liedeman said in a bail application affidavit that he had received threats from the Van der Walts before and after his arrest last year.

He said Sarel van der Walt used to work for him, but he confronted him because he believed he was stealing from the business and summarily dismissed him.

Liedeman was squashed into a busy dock with the brothers on Friday and appeared uncomfortable with the situation.

The brothers, both in tracksuits, whispered to each other throughout proceedings. - Sapa

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