Winnie Rust murder trial

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schumi

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Cape Town –*Writer Winnie Rust, 76, was murdered in her home in Wellington on Wednesday afternoon, Netwerk24 reported.

Rust, a beloved resident and internationally acclaimed author, was found dead in her home on Third Avenue in Uitsig.

According to early reports, Rust's husband, Dr Matthew Rust, 87, woke up from the sound of the bell at the gate*at about 15:30. When he got up to see who was at the gate, he found his wife dead on the kitchen floor.

She had injuries to her face and her hands and feet were tied.

Wellington police spokesman, Lieutenant Basil Hippo, confirmed that a case of murder was being investigated. No suspects have been identified so far.

Plagued by burglaries

Rust was a Wellington resident who was, among other things, closely involved with the history of the respective communities in the area.

Her books include Margie van die Seminary en ander verhale , Martha gravin van Stamford and Trek .

Martha gravin van Stamford was shortlisted for the Jan Rabie/Rapport Prize in 2005.

In 1954 Rust was the head girl of Hoërskool Hugenote. Her late father, CP van der Merwe, was the rector of the Hugenote College at the time.

Three years ago, on May 8 2013, the couple Daan en Erka Rousseau, were also killed in their home in Charonstraat, Uitsig.

Ten years ago, on February 7 2005, Lisbé Smuts-Smith, also well known in literary circles, was killed in Burg Street, not far from the latest incident.

According to residents, the area has been plagued by burglaries.

News24
Link: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/well-known-sa-author-murdered-in-wellington-20160511
 
These fkers picking on old folk must die a terrible death soon!!!
 
It reads slightly suspicious - can't wait for more details to emerge - until then I will withhold my comments.
 
Man arrested for murder of acclaimed author

Cape Town – An 18-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder of internationally acclaimed author Winnie Rust, Western Cape police said on Sunday.

The suspect was arrested after several items were found in his possession that linked him to the murder, said Constable Noloyiso Rwexana.

Rust, 77, was found dead in her home on Third Avenue in Uitsig in Wellington on Wednesday afternoon.

Netwer24 reported that preliminary information was that her husband, Dr Matthew Rust, 87, was awoken by the bell at the gate at about 15:30. When he got up to see who was there, he found his wife dead on the kitchen floor.

She had injuries to her face, and her hands and feet were tied. A case of murder has been opened.

The man is expected to appear in the Wellington Magistrates' Court on Monday.

News 24
Link: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/man-arrested-for-murder-of-acclaimed-sa-author-20160515
 
Author's murder-accused described as a local hero

Cape Town - Loved ones applauded as murder accused Nigel Plaatjies, 18, made his way out of the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. They were however not so appreciative of the youngster's uncle.

" Ons is lief vir jou! Ons staan agter jou , Nigel [We love you! We stand behind you, Nigel]," locals screamed as he was taken to a police vehicle following a brief appearance in the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Tuesday for the murder of author Winnie Rust.

Some were in tears as he walked out with a jacket covering his face.

The teen is a star athlete, whom residents described as a local hero.

From inside the holding cells, the teen's uncle and co-accused Johannes Plaatjies, 34, shouted obscenities at the crowd.

" Hou jy jou bek, Johannes! Jy hoort nie eers in Welli ngton nie! [Shut up, Johannes! You do not even belong in Wellington!]" the crowd responded.

Bound feet

Court goers said they believed Johannes was behind the murder, and that Nigel, whom they described as a mild-mannered young man, would never be involved in such a crime.

Magistrate Brenda Mpako postponed the matter to allow Johannes to appoint a legal aid lawyer.

Rust, 77, was found dead in her home in Third Avenue, Uitsig on May 11, 2016.

Her husband, Dr Manie Rust, 87, woke up from the sound of the bell at the gate around 15:30.

When he got up to see who was at the gate, he found his wife dead on the kitchen floor. She had injuries to her face and her hands and feet were bound.

News24

Link:http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/authors-murder-accused-described-as-a-local-hero-20160524
 
Winnie Rust murder accused plead not guilty

Wellington - The two men accused of the murder of writer Winnie Rust have pleaded not guilty.

Nigel Plaatjies, 18, and his uncle Johannes Plaatjies, 34, are accused of killing the 77-year-old Rust in her Third Avenue, Uitsig, home last month.

The teen, a star athlete who matriculated last year and was financially supported by Rust, and his co-accused made a brief appearance in the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Monday.

The courtroom was packed with supporters of the teen, who believe he would never be involved in such a crime.

Residents from New Rest and the surrounding areas have been diligently attending proceedings.

All maintained he would never do anything to hurt the respected writer, with whom he apparently shared a close relationship.

Nigel, the court heard, had no prior convictions, while Johannes had a string of past crimes, including housebreaking, theft and assault.

The author's husband, Dr Manie Rust, 87, woke up from the sound of the bell at the gate around 15:30 on the day of the murder.

When he got up to see who was at the gate, he found his wife dead on the kitchen floor. She had injuries to her face and her hands and feet were bound.

Rust is understood to have financially supported Nigel. His mother worked the domestic worker of Rust's daughter.

News24
Link:http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/winnie-rust-murder-accused-plead-not-guilty-20160613
 
Wellington - Writer Winnie Rust was ostensibly killed in a burglary gone wrong, the Wellington Magistrate's Court heard on Monday.

According to investigating officer Cornelius de Lange, Nigel Plaatjies initially told police he had not been at the author's Third Avenue, Uitsig, home on May 11.

But after a witness insisted to have seen the teenager - whom Rust had been supporting since he was in Grade 7 - he admitted to police he had been there that day.

Rust had paid for Nigel's school fees and sport activities, De Lange said.

His mother was the domestic worker of Rust's daughter.

The athletics star regularly visited Rust's home and was known to have lunch with her before he matriculated.

"He gave a statement that he was at the scene that day after he was forced by [Johannes] to help him with a burglary," De Lange said.

Nigel was to keep Winnie occupied while Johannes stole valuables, the officer testified.

Two laptops, rings and a handbag were stolen.

The author's husband, Dr Manie Rust, 87, who was asleep on the second floor of their hime, woke up from the sound of the bell at the gate around 15:30.

Fingerprints found

When he got up to see who was at the gate, he found his wife dead on the kitchen floor. She had injuries to her face and her hands and feet were bound.

The gas stove had also been turned on and a burning candle was next to it. However, the gas supply had been low after Rust's husband had forgotten to turn it off after cooking apples the night before.

A post mortem confirmed that Rust had been strangled.

Nigel was arrested two days after Rust's murder.

De Lange told the court that Nigel's fingerprints were found on a table alongside where the 77-year-old's body was found.

He also allegedly used her bank card at an ATM for three transactions valued at R5 000, as well as her credit card for purchases at Game, Tiffany's Jewelry and Sportscene in Paarl.

Johannes, 34, was arrested the following Sunday.

He had allegedly sold one of the laptops and had pawned the rings at a Wellington second-hand dealer.

They have pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and murder.

Nigel, the court heard, had no prior convictions, while Johannes had been convicted of a string of crimes: housebreaking, eight of theft, two for assault and two of drunk driving.

News24
Link:http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...ands-on-stolen-bank-card-court-hears-20160613
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No bail for suspects in Winnie Rust murder case

Wellington – Murder accused Nigel Plaatjies and his uncle Johannes Plaatjies have been denied bail in the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Court goers – the majority of whom were friends and supporters of Nigel, a star athlete - gasped after Magistrate Alvin Saptoe made his ruling.

Saptoe said the State had a strong prima facie case against the accused, while the two chose not to give viva voce evidence (evidence given orally) during proceedings.

The case has been registered as a schedule 6 bail application which, according to the Criminal Procedure Act, means the onus is on the accused to prove special circumstances exist to justify their release.

Saptoe said neither had done this.

Nigel, 18, and his uncle are accused of killing much-loved Afrikaans author Winnie Rust in her Third Avenue, Uitsig home on May 11 while her husband slept upstairs.

Needed cash for 'drug loans'


Police believe she was killed in a burglary gone wrong.

During bail proceedings, investigating officer Cornelius de Lange told the court that Nigel – whom Rust had been supporting financially since he was in Grade 7 – had denied being at the author's home on the day of her murder, until a witness insisted to have seen him.

His mother was the domestic worker of Rust's daughter. Rust had paid for Nigel's school fees and sports activities and the athletics star regularly visited her at her home.

De Lange said Nigel had given a statement to police that Johannes had forced him to "help him with a burglary" and that he was to keep Rust occupied while Johannes stole valuables.

Prosecutor Mornay Julius told the court that Nigel had, in a statement to police, said his uncle had forced him to take part in the robbery because he needed cash to pay off drug loans.

Ostensibly, had Nigel not helped him, Johannes would have had his nephew killed.

Julius said the State found it unlikely that this is what had happened.

Facing life in prison

Nigel has no prior convictions, while Johannes had been convicted of a string of crimes: housebreaking, eight of theft, two for assault and two of drunk driving.

Two laptops, rings and a handbag were stolen from the author's home.

Rust's husband Dr Manie Rust, 87, found her body when he was awoken by the bell at the gate ringing at 15:30. She was on the kitchen floor and had injuries to her face. She had been strangled and her hands and feet were bound.

Nigel was arrested two days after Rust's murder. His fingerprints were found on a table alongside the 77-year-old's body.

He also allegedly used her bank card at an ATM for three transactions valued at R5 000, as well as her credit card for purchases in Paarl.

Johannes, 34, was arrested the following Sunday. He had allegedly sold one of the laptops and had pawned the rings at a Wellington second-hand dealer.

Nigel pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and murder. Johannes is yet to plead.

If convicted, the two could face life behind bars.

News24
Link: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/no-bail-for-suspects-in-winnie-rust-murder-case-20160623
 
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