Durban - A Phoenix father who was charged with negligently causing the death of his wife by shooting her in December - on their child’s fifth birthday - has walked out of court a free man.
Bruce Naidoo, 44, was charged with murder - later changed to culpable homicide - after his wife Claire, a Sunday school church teacher, was shot during an alleged tussle at the couple’s Eastbury home on December 4.
The 40-year-old was shot in the neck and died at the scene.
The couple’s three children, aged 5 to 17, were present during the incident, POST reported at the time.
Naidoo was let off the hook this week due to lack of evidence.
He rejoiced outside the Verulam Magistrate’s Court with his family and attorney. His children were not present.
Neither Naidoo nor his attorney would comment.
The State is believed to be considering appealing the decision by magistrate Anitha Govender on a question of law.
Claire’s family were shocked at the
outcome.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a relative said the family were “bitterly disappointed”.
It is believed Claire had been preparing for a church outing when the shooting occurred.
Her youngest son had celebrated his birthday earlier that day.
“Imagine every year on Claire’s death day,
her son will remember that his mother was shot
on that day. How will he move on?” the relative
asked.
She said they had expected more from the justice system.
“To say that we are shocked is an understatement.”
She added: “I saw Claire a month before her death and one would never had thought her problems were so big. She put on a brave front. They looked at each other like they were in love.”
The relative said she had kept in contact with the couple’s children, but they never spoke about their mother.
“I just hope the State wins the appeal.”