Johannesburg - A South African businessman has been provisionally charged in a Mauritian court for the murder of his girlfriend after her body was found floating in a resort pool, the Sunday Times reported.
"The legal system in Mauritius differs from South Africa in that a person may be charged provisionally even though the investigation has not been concluded," Peter Roberts' lawyer Nicqui Galaktiou told the newspaper.
Roberts is set to appear in court again this week as they intended to bring a bail application.
He is currently being detained in police cells.
On the night of 28 December, the body of Lee-Ann Palmarozza was found floating in a pool at the Anahita resort where she was staying with Roberts.
At the time, Roberts told security officials that she had disappeared after he went to take a shower at around midnight. Subsequently, a search ensued during which Palmarozza's body was discovered.
Various media reports have indicated that an autopsy stated that her death was caused by asphyxiation.
According to the Sunday Times, a second autopsy is to be conducted before the body can be repatriated back to South Africa.
- SAPA
