Of angels, demons, tokoloshes

Published Mar 12, 2012

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In the two years and nine months that elapsed before the Lotters were assessed by a psychologist, the pair could have polished the version of events that took place that night and leading up to the murder of their parents.

When State advocate Rea Mina put it to internationally renowned clinical psychologist Professor Lourens Schlebusch that Nicolette and Hardus Lotter had more than two years to “reinforce, expand and embellish” as they were communicating in prison via letters, Schlebusch said: “Yes, this is possible; it’s unfortunate that it took so long to assess them.”

Schlebusch told the Durban High Court on Friday that in their interviews, which were conducted separately, the siblings corroborated each other; however, he acknowledged that it was possible that they could have communicated in prison.

The siblings and Nicolette’s ex-boyfriend, Mathew Naidoo, 26, are on trial for the murder of the siblings’ parents, Johan, 53, and Riekie Lotter, 52, in their Westville home in July 2008.

The brother and sister admitted to killing their parents, but claimed they were brainwashed by Naidoo, who they believed was the third son of God.

The siblings, throughout the trial, have maintained that they believed what they were doing was right and that their parents needed to be killed to “save the world”.

They argued that the murder plot was engineered by Naidoo and they were following instructions from Naidoo, who often spoke to them in the voices of angels and demons.

Schlebusch, who testified for the defence, told the court that Nicolette, who turns 30 next month, was more assertive and intelligent than Hardus, but that Naidoo had the greatest influence over the two.

When Mina asked Schlebusch to comment on the testimonies of both parties about the discarding of evidence such as the gloves and cable ties used in the murder, Schlebusch said it was an indication that the siblings knew what they were doing, but that they thought they had to carry it out because of their religious beliefs.

Referring to earlier evidence that Nicolette first realised she had been duped by Naidoo when Captain Shane Smith (of the now disbanded Durban organised crime unit, Cato Manor) pointed to him while she was being interrogated, and proclaimed that he was the “devil”, Mina asked Schlebusch if it was normal for two people who were “programmed” to realise the error of their ways at the same time.

“It is virtually improbable and it takes a period of time to de-programme someone,” Schlebusch said.

The case has gripped the public’s imagination with tales of angels, demons and tokoloshes. Schlebusch has described it as unique.

He told the Daily News sister publication, The Independent on Saturday, that there was no similar literature on a case such as this and no legal precedent internationally.

He said parricide – the murder of one’s parents – was unusual in this case because it involved a daughter and a son as well as religiosity and a belief in witchcraft.

Closing arguments would be heard on Monday and presiding judge Shyam Gyanda is expected to deliver judgment this week. - Daily News

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