Winnie Rust murder trial

Emotional moments between Winnie Rust murder accused and mom outside court

Wellington – The mother of murder accused Nigel Plaatjies burst into tears as she waited to see her son before he was to be transported back to prison from the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

In an emotional scene after the court case on Thursday - where bail was denied - police allowed Lien Plaatjies to hug her son when she ran to him as officers were bringing him out.
She fell over and cops had to stop him from helping her up.

The 18-year-old and his uncle Johannes Plaatjies were earlier denied bail, leading to anger and dissatisfaction from the courtroom filled with supporters of the teenager.

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

Tensions further ran high after a photographer called the two "murderers" as they made their way from the dock.

Bail 'not in the interests of justice'

"Hy het nie gepleit nie. Hoe kan jy so iets sê? [He has not pleaded. How can you say that]" a family friend shouted as the rest of his supporters nodded and murmured in agreement.
Lien later fainted as she sobbed.

Magistrate Alvin Saptoe said their release would not be in the interest of justice and that both evidently had a case to answer to.

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

Rust had financially supported Nigel since he was in Grade 7.

Police believe she was killed in a burglary gone wrong.

Case postponed

Prosecutor Mornay Julius told the court 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, the State found this unlikely.

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

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

Rust's husband Dr Manie Rust, 87, found her body when the bell at the gate rang 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. Johannes, 34, was arrested the following Sunday.

The case was postponed to August 12.

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New facts expected to be revealed in Winnie Rust murder case

Cape Town - New facts are expected to be revealed next month in the murder case of Afrikaans author Winnie Rust when one of the accused reapplies for bail.

Eighteen-year-old Nigel Plaatjies' newly appointed attorney, Paul Marais, informed the court that the athlete, his mother Lien and two other witnesses would be called to testify on October 14.

New evidence would be presented, Marais told Magistrate Brenda Mpako.

Nigel and his uncle Johannes Plaatjies are accused of killing Rust in her Third Avenue, Uitsig, home on May 11, while her husband slept upstairs.

Police believe Rust was killed in a burglary gone wrong.

According to the State, the majority of the investigation has been completed.

Regular visitor

The pair were denied bail in June when Magistrate Alvin Saptoe ruled that the State had a strong prima facie case. The two did not give evidence during their bail application.

According to investigating officer Cornelius de Lange, Nigel denied being at the author's home on the day of her murder. A witness insisted that they had seen him at the scene that day.

His mother was the domestic worker of Rust's daughter. Rust had paid for Nigel's school fees and sports activities since he was in Grade 7 and the athletics star regularly visited her at her home.

Rust's husband, Dr Manie Rust, 87, found her body when he was woken by the ringing of the gate bell 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 reportedly found on a table alongside the 77-year-old's body.

De Lange said Nigel had later given a statement to police that Johannes had forced him to "help him with a burglary".

He claimed he was told to keep Rust occupied while Johannes stole valuables.

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


Drug loans

Nigel allegedly used her bank card at an ATM for three transactions valued at R5 000 and her credit card for purchases in Paarl.

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

According to the teenager, his uncle had forced him to take part in the robbery because he needed cash to pay off drug loans.

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

The State however dismissed this claim as unlikely.

If convicted, the two could face life behind bars.

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

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

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Winnie Rust murder accused moved to single cell after gang fears

Cape Town - Winnie Rust murder accused Nigel Plaatjies has been moved to a single cell at the Allandale Prison and has not been injured in any way, the Western Cape Department of Correctional Services confirmed on Wednesday.

This followed rumours on social media that the 18-year-old promising athlete had been attacked on Tuesday, with some stating as a fact that he had been killed.

Department spokesperson Simphiwe Xako refuted the allegations, but said Plaatjies had been given his own cell.

“It seems as though he was being forced to join one of the gangs. The Department of Correctional Services is monitoring the situation in order to ensure safety for everyone,” he said.

Nigel and his uncle Johannes Plaatjies are accused of killing Rust in her Third Avenue, Uitsig, home on May 11, while her husband slept upstairs.

Police believe Rust was killed in a burglary gone wrong.

Bail application

Plaatjies on Monday reapplied for bail in the Wellington Magistrate's Court on the basis of new facts.

His newly appointed attorney Paul Marais told the court that the star athlete and his mother, Lien, along with two other witnesses, would testify when the matter is heard on October 14.

The pair were denied bail in June when Magistrate Alvin Saptoe ruled that the State had a strong prima facie case. The two did not give evidence during their bail application.

According to investigating officer Cornelius de Lange, Nigel denied being at the author's home on the day of her murder. A witness insisted that they had seen him at the scene that day.

His mother was the domestic worker of Rust's daughter. Rust had paid for Nigel's school fees and sports activities since he was in Grade 7 and the athletics star regularly visited her at her home.

Rust's husband, Dr Manie Rust, 87, found her body when he was woken by the ringing of the gate bell 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.

If convicted, the two could face life behind bars.

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

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

Marais declined to comment on Wednesday.

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Winnie Rust murder accused claims he was forced into robbery

Cape Town - Promising athlete and murder accused Nigel Plaatjies on Friday testified he was forced to take part in a robbery at the home of Wellington author Winnie Rust, and was in fear for his life and the safety of his family.

The now 19-year-old from New Rest took to the stand in his second bid for bail in the Wellington Magistrate's Court.

Nigel and his uncle Johannes Plaatjies are accused of killing the Afrikaans writer in her Third Avenue, Uitsig, home on May 11 while her husband slept upstairs.

In June, Magistrate Alvin Saptoe ruled that the State had a strong prima facie case against the two – who had not given oral evidence - and denied them bail.

Police believe Rust was killed in a burglary gone wrong, but Nigel testified that he walked in on a robbery in progress at the author's house that day.

The teen said he had had an appointment with Rust to discuss the matter of her financially assisting him to get his driver's licence.

Nigel's mother works for Rust's daughter. Rust had been paying for Nigel's sports activities and school fees since he was in Grade 7 and the athletics star regularly visited her home.

Armed men

"I rang the bell twice and when she didn't open I went to the kitchen door. There, a man with a gun came out and told me if I made a noise he would hurt me," Nigel said from the stand.

He claimed his uncle Johannes, who is from Montagu, as well as two other men – one brandishing a gun and another, a knife – were in the kitchen.

His uncle, was apparently wearing Nigel's clothes and shoes to confuse the dogs, held Rust.

"Johannes told the man with the gun, 'Maak vrek die jong' [kill the guy]," he testified.

The gunman presumably told Nigel to take him upstairs so that he could gather goods to steal.

Laptops, a handbag and cellphone were taken from the house.

Nigel said he had seen Dr Manie Rust sleeping upstairs. He is hard of hearing.

Forced to flee with robbers

When they went back down to the kitchen, he found Johannes and one of the gunmen tying up the author.

It is unclear when Rust was strangled.

Nigel claimed his uncle removed Rust's rings from her hands, as well as bank cards. The pin numbers were apparently written on a piece of paper.

He said he was then forced to flee with the robbers in a taxi with a Montagu number plate parked nearby.

"They held a gun on me and said if I followed their instructions, nothing would happen to me.

"They took me to an ATM and forced me to withdraw money. They stood in a position so that the camera couldn't see them."

He said he made three withdrawals totalling R6 000, which was Rust's daily limit.

Buying silence

"While [I was at the ATM], Johannes and one of the men went to a [pawn shop] to sell the rings."

Once they had returned, they drove to Paarl where he and Johannes went to a shopping centre and swiped for clothes, shoes and groceries to be resold, Nigel said.

His uncle apparently threatened the lives of his mother and sister if he didn't comply.

After leaving the mall, the men dropped him near his house where Johannes allegedly forced him to take R1 200, a cellphone, shoes and clothes in a bid to buy his silence.

He said he did not tell his mother of the incident out of fear for his family's safety. He was also apparently worried that she would approach the police.

During bail proceedings in June, investigating officer Cornelius de Lange told the court that Nigel had denied being at the author's home on the day of her murder, until a witness insisted that they had seen him.

The policeman 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 said, in a statement to police, that his uncle had forced him to take part in the robbery because he needed cash to pay off drug loans.

No prior convictions

Presumably, 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.

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

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 next to the 77-year-old's body.

Johannes, 34, was arrested the following Sunday. Nigel pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and murder. Johannes is yet to plead.

If convicted the two could face life behind bars.

The case was postponed to November 14 for cross examination.

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Why would I want to hurt her? asks Winnie Rust murder accused

Cape Town - The man accused of murdering Wellington author Winnie Rust allegedly warned his nephew and co-accused that he had damning evidence against him and would turn State witness in a letter delivered to him while behind bars.

Promising athlete Nigel Plaatjies on Friday testified that his uncle Johannes Plaatjies had sent him two letters while in jail lamenting that "everything was being piled on [him]".

"I am going to turn State witness....Ek gaan jou tronk toe praat," the teenager read form a letter during his second attempt at bail in the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Friday.

Nigel told the court that he and his uncle were being held in separate sections of the prison.

Johannes nevertheless managed to send him the letter in which he told his nephew he would provide police with phone records and messages to show his involvement.

The letter further reads that Nigel had strangled and conspired to kill Rust.

Fear over family's safety

Nigel countered that he would never hurt Rust.

"She was good to me. Why would I want to hurt her?" he asked.

Nigel claimed Johannes forced him to take part in a robbery at the author's Third Avenue, Uitsig home on May 11 and he complied in fear for his family's safety.

According to his version, he stumbled upon a robbery involving his uncle and three other men when he went to visit Rust to speak about her helping with money to get his drivers' licence.

Nigel's mother works for Rust's daughter. Rust had been paying for Nigel's sports activities and school fees since he was in Grade 7 and the athletics star regularly visited her home.

He said he found the robbers in the kitchen when he walked to the side of the house after Rust failed to answer the door.

No lawyer present

He claimed he was forced to help the robbers get their loot in fear for his life and, later, to withdraw money and make purchases after his uncle threatened to kill his mother and sister.

After being taken in for questioning two days later, he made a statement to police because he "wanted to tell the truth".

He said police promised him he would be released once he had given his version, but instead he was arrested.

Nigel claimed he had not read the statement but had signed because the investigating officer had told him to.

After he was informed that he could be incriminating himself the then 18-year-old claimed he had asked to consult with a legal representative.

The officer however continued to take the affidavit without a lawyer present, Nigel testified.

"He said if I tell the truth I can go home. That's why I continued with the statement."

Nigel had told police that Johannes had forced him to "help him with a burglary" and that he was to keep Rust occupied while Johannes stole valuables.

Facing life behind bars

Nigel has no prior convictions while Johannes has convictions for a string of crimes including one for housebreaking, eight for theft, two for assault and two for drunk driving.

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 next to the 77-year-old's body.

Johannes, 34, was arrested the following Sunday. Nigel pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and murder. Johannes is yet to plead.

Days after he reapplied for bail last month citing "new facts", Nigel was assaulted by gangsters at Allendale Prison.

He was then moved to a single cell for his safety.

If convicted, the two could face life behind bars.

The case was postponed to November 14 for cross examination.

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Police fabricated statement, Winnie Rust murder accused argues

Cape Town - An initial police statement accredited to murder accused Nigel Plaatjies was a story compiled by the authorities without him knowing what it contained, the once promising athlete told the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old, accused of murdering Afrikaans author Winnie Rust in her Uitsig home on May 11, testified that the police had fabricated parts of his statement and that he hadn't been given the opportunity to read it before he signed.

He also, however, admitted to lying to the police about his whereabouts on the day of the murder, saying he had been scared that his uncle and co-accused, Johannes Plaatjies, would hurt his family.

This is the teenager's second attempt at bail. In June, Magistrate Alvin Saptoe ruled that the State had a strong prima facie case against both suspects.

While neither gave oral evidence in their first attempt, last month Nigel testified that he walked in on the robbery.

At the start of his second bid for bail, Nigel told the court he had been forced to take part in the robbery which resulted in the murder of Rust. The author had been financially supporting the New Rest teen since childhood.

Rings stolen from Rust's hands

Nigel said he had had an appointment with Rust to discuss the matter of her financially assisting him to get his driver's licence. She had been paying for Nigel's sports activities and school fees since he was in Grade 7 and the athletics star regularly visited her home.

Nigel's mother works for Rust's daughter.

He said four armed men, including his uncle, were in the house stealing. He was allegedly forced to take part out of fear for his life and the safety of his family.

Laptops, a handbag, bank cards and a cellphone were taken. Rings were stolen from Rust's hands.

He claimed he was forced to accompany the gang in a taxi, was made to withdraw money from her accounts and make purchases on her store accounts.

But on Tuesday the court heard that a neighbour denied seeing a taxi parked near the house that day.

Version of events questioned

Nigel said Johannes threatened to harm his family should he not comply and allegedly forced him to take R1 200, a cellphone, shoes and clothes in a bid to buy his silence.

During bail proceedings in June investigating officer Cornelius de Lange told the court that Nigel denied being at the author's home on the day of her murder until a witness insisted that they had seen him there.

According to the State, Nigel's statement made to police said Johannes forced him to help him with a robbery. This as he apparently owed a drug dealer money.

Nigel was ostensibly supposed to visit Rust, where after Johannes would rob the two at the house.

Prosecutor Mornay Julius questioned Nigel's version of events, saying he had lied to the police at the time and was now lying to the court.

Nigel, at times in tears, denied this. He insisted that the police refused to believe his version of events, dismissing it as "*** [****]".

No prior convictions

When asked why he had not given his current version of events initially, he said he had been advised by his previous lawyer to not to testify on the merits of the case.

Julius countered that Nigel was blaming everyone from the police to his previous lawyer. He put it to him that he had listened to the State's case in his first bail application and had spent months fabricating a story to line up with the police's evidence against him.

Nigel, in turn, insisted he was now telling the truth - something he was too afraid to do at first.

He has no prior convictions. Johannes had convictions for a string of crimes, including one for housebreaking, eight for theft, two for assault and two for drunk driving.

Rust's husband Dr Manie Rust, 87, who is hard of hearing and had been sleeping upstairs during the robbery, 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 next to the 77-year-old's body.

Johannes, 34, was arrested the following Sunday. Nigel pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and murder. Johannes is yet to plead.

Proceedings resume on Monday.

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Winnie Rust murder accused again denied bail

Cape Town - Promising athlete Nigel Plaatjies, accused of playing a role in the murder of Afrikaans author Winnie Rust in May, was on Tuesday again denied bail in the Wellington Magistrate's Court.

Magistrate Alvin Saptoe for a second time this year dismissed his application, saying his testimony had now left him in a worse position than before.

"Everything indicated you were involved. You don't hesitate to shift blame," he said.

"The State's case can't be seen as weak. After your testimony, the State now has a more convincing case."

In his ruling, he said he found Plaatjies' version of being forced into the robbery doubtful.

Plaatjies is accused of armed robbery and murder, charges to which he has pleaded not guilty, relating to the killing of Rust, in her Uitsig, Wellington, home on May 11.

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.

On Tuesday, Saptoe ruled that Plaatjies was "an integral part of the plan."

He said Plaatjies' testimony and statements to police were not consistent.

Saptoe cited Plaatjies' initial statement given to police, saying he had assisted his uncle and co-accused Johannes Plaatjies with a burglary as he apparently owed a drug lord money.

Strong case

Plaatjies testified that he had been forced to take part in the robbery at Rust's home.

In June, Saptoe ruled that the State had a strong prima facie case against Plaatjies and his uncle.

While neither gave oral evidence in their first bail attempt, last month Plaatjies testified that he had walked in on the robbery.

The teen said he had had an appointment with Rust to discuss the matter of her financially assisting him to get his driver's licence.

She had been paying for his sports activities and school fees since he had been in Grade 7 and the athletics star regularly visited her home.

Plaatjies' mother works for Rust's daughter.

He said four armed men, including his uncle, were in the house and were busy stealing.

He was allegedly forced to take part.

Laptops, a handbag, bank cards and a cellphone were taken.

Rings were stolen from Rust’s hands.

Accused claims he was forced into it

Plaatjies claimed he was forced to accompany the gang in a taxi, was made to withdraw money from Rust's accounts and make purchases on her store accounts.

He said his uncle threatened his family’s lives if he did not comply.

During bail proceedings in June, investigating officer Cornelius de Lange told the court that Plaatjies had denied being at the author's home on the day of her murder, until a witness insisted that he had been there.

The policeman said that, according to Plaatjies statement, his uncle had forced him to "help him with a burglary".

He was to keep Rust occupied while Johannes stole valuables.

Plaatjies has no prior convictions, while his uncle has for a string of crimes, including one for housebreaking, eight for theft, two for assault, and two for drunk driving.

His uncle is yet to plead.

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'She was my biggest fan' - Winnie Rust murder accused

Cape Town – A promising athlete, who Wellington author Winnie Rust took under her wing, has denied murdering her but admitted that he helped his uncle to rob her for drug money, the Western Cape High Court has heard.

He claims that he was torn between and his eagerness to help his uncle and his affection for Rust.

Nigel Plaatjies, 19, and his uncle, Johannes Plaatjies, are accused of Rust’s murder.

The teen has pleaded guilty to charges of theft, but not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, and attempted arson.

His Legal Aid lawyer, Yasmine Rajap, read a statement in court in which the teen claimed that his uncle had arrived in Wellington a week before Rust was killed and confessed to being in big trouble because he owed money to a drug lord in Montagu.

Johannes was his maternal uncle, who worked for the Rusts' daughter in Stellenbosch since he was a small boy.

'Outraged'

The 19-year-old claimed that his uncle proposed robbing Rust and selling her possessions to raise the money to pay off his drug debt.

He wanted his nephew to help him because the teen knew the house and what was in it.

The 19-year-old claimed that his uncle told him nobody would be hurt and that all he had to do was remove the Rusts’ dog from the property.

The court heard that they also tried to blow up the Rusts' house by switching on the gas stove and putting a burning candle next to it. In his statement, Nigel Plaatjies said his uncle tried twice to convince him to get involved in the robbery.

The first time the issue was raised, he refused.

"At the time, I was outraged by his suggestion as Mrs Rust meant the world to me and I would never steal from her," he said.

'Uncle's predicament'

She knew him since primary school and bought him clothes, gave him money, made sure he attended the best schools and encouraged his long-distance running.

However, he added that his uncle had been particularly attentive towards him because he grew up without a father.

He was upset by the idea of robbing Rust but also worried about his uncle's predicament.

On Tuesday, May 10, he visited Rust because she was going to help him get a driver's licence. However, she had visitors.

That evening Rust went to his house to apologise for the fact that she couldn’t help him.

She asked him to come to her house the next day and he agreed.

Drug dealers

His uncle overheard the conversation and told him it would be the perfect opportunity to pounce because he was already expected there, the teen alleged.

"He begged me saying that the drug dealers is [sic] going to hurt him if cannot pay the money he owed," said Nigel.

Early the next morning, his uncle sent him a "Please Call Me" message while he was at the gym.

When they spoke, he asked the teen for money for transport to Montagu and they agreed to meet behind the local Pick n Pay.

When Nigel got there, his uncle had a gun and convinced him that it would only be used to scare 77-year-old Rust into doing what she was told during the robbery.

The alleged plan was that Johannes would arrive unexpectedly at her house when they met and he would instruct Nigel to fetch valuables.

"He assured me that no harm would come to her," the teen said in his statement.

Nigel went to Rust's house and brought the dog inside.

The incident

They had been discussing his future career possibilities when Johannes arrived, held Rust at gunpoint and demanded her handbag.

Johannes Plaatjies allegedly ordered his nephew to fetch the handbag upstairs.

He said he wanted to minimise the loss to Rust and decided to also take two laptops, hoping it would appease his uncle.

When he arrived downstairs about 15 to 20 minutes later, he saw Rust lying on the ground with her eyes closed.

His uncle was binding her hands and feet and taping her mouth so that she could not scream.

The uncle allegedly took her cellphone, cash and bank cards out of her bag, the teen claimed.

He said he saw his uncle carrying a piece of paper with Rust’s pin number written on it.

He said he agreed to withdraw R5 000 for his uncle, using one of the stolen bank cards.

He knew he was committing theft, the court heard.

Shopping

That afternoon, he told staff at Game, Tiffany and Sportscene that Rust had given him permission to use her card. He bought clothes, boots, and jewellery which his uncle could sell.

He said he tried to withdraw from the situation, but added that his uncle told him he was already involved.

"I was never really good at saying no to him because I still wanted his approval. I went along with him," said Nigel.

His uncle insisted that he buy something for himself and he chose a pair of takkies and boots.

Before they parted, his uncle gave him R1 200. The teen was arrested on May 13.

In his statement, he said he was really sorry for his actions and that Rust had died.

"She was the one person in this whole world I could count on and I played a role in her death. I am truly remorseful of this act."

Johannes Plaatjies has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him, which also include theft or fraud, murder, attempted murder, and attempted arson.

He has admitted pawning two rings at Cash for Gold, saying that someone on the street gave them to him. The trial continued with Rust's 85-year-old husband, Manie, taking the witness stand.

The couple had been married for 53 years.

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Burning candle found next to gas stove at Winnie Rust death scene

Cape Town – Winnie Rust's husband Manie never trusted Nigel Plaatjies, the young man accused of the murder of his wife in Wellington, the Western Cape High Court heard on Monday.

"He was at the house too often, and he could manipulate my wife," said 85-year-old Manie at the trial of Nigel and his uncle Johannes Plaatjies who were charged with murdering the writer during an alleged staged robbery on May 11, 2016.

Manie said Nigel used to eat with them, and that afterwards his wife would ask that they keep the house quiet so that Nigel could do his homework.

"She out and out spoiled him," he said.

In addition to the murder charges, the two also face charges of attempted murder, as well as attempted arson for allegedly switching the Rusts' gas stove on and leaving a burning candle next to it, plus a slew of theft and fraud charges relating to the use of her bank cards and sale of her rings.

Manie said Winnie and Nigel had known each other since the boy was a child as his mother was the domestic worker at the Rusts' daughter's home in Stellenbosch.

'I did not want him in the house'

But even though his wife was friends with Nigel, bought him clothes and was helping him get into a sports training programme, the youngster put him on edge.

"I did not want him in the house," he said.

On the day Winnie died, she had an appointment with Nigel about helping him to get his driver's licence.

The Rusts had lunch as usual, then Manie pottered around for a while on the stoep. After that, he went upstairs to the main bedroom to read.

He drifted off to sleep and was woken up by the bell at the pedestrian gate.

He spoke to two people through the window, and they said they had come to repair a pool.

Manie said he had turned the pool into a fish pond, but went downstairs to speak to them anyway.

It turned out that they had the wrong address and they left.

Wrists, ankles tied up

However, he noticed that their collie and a smaller dog were running in the road. While the little dog would sneak out occasionally, the Collie was known to just stand at the gate and bark at passersby.

He managed to get the dogs back in, and it was only when he went into the house that he saw his wife of 53 years lying on the floor near the kitchen.

"I knew she was dead," said Manie.

Her wrists and ankles had been tied up and her mouth had been taped shut.

ALSO READ: Winnie Rust murder trial delayed, accused changes lawyer for the fourth time

He took the ropes off, and tore the tape off her mouth, hoping she would take a breath.

The retired doctor with more than 50 years of medical practice under his belt felt for a pulse, and there was none.

After that, he called a friend and the police. The police were there within five minutes, which helped the elderly man pin down the estimated time of when he had found her body.

He told the court that he also saw a burning candle next to the gas stove, which had been switched on.

He only looked at Nigel when Judge Elize Steyn asked him to point him out.

He said he had never seen Johannes before.

Rings pawned for R1 000

Earlier, the court heard a statement by Nigel that he reluctantly agreed to help his uncle rob Winnie because he owed money to a drug dealer in Montagu.

He pleaded guilty to charges relating to the use of her credit card after they left her on the floor, but denied the murder, attempted murder and attempted arson charges.

Johannes pleaded not guilty to all the charges except selling two rings to a pawn shop, claiming they were given to him by a "guy on the street".

After Manie's testimony, pawn shop owner Susan Swart said Johannes came in with the rings on May 11, claiming to have won them at the gambling table.

She weighed them, and gave him just over R1 000 for them.

The next day he returned and questioned the amount she had given him.

She said weighed the rings again and showed him how she had calculated the amount.

The trial continues on Tuesday.

News24
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...gas-stove-at-winnie-rust-death-scene-20171023
 
Winnie Rust's alleged killers went on 'relaxed' shopping spree with her bank card - cashier

Cape Town – The two men accused of killing writer Winnie Rust are believed to have used her bank card to pay for a cellphone, clothes and groceries on the day of her murder, the Western Cape High Court heard on Tuesday.

Promising athlete Nigel Plaatjies, 19, and his uncle Johannes Plaatjies are on trial for allegedly killing Rust in her home in Wellington on May 11, 2016.

Taking the witness stand for the State on Tuesday, Wellington Game cashier Jermaine Dampies testified that Nigel paid for a J5 Samsung cellphone and JBL speaker box, at an estimated value of R4 000, with a bank card that had "Rust" written on it.

Dampies had been working at the store's cigarette counter when Johannes and Nigel entered the store.

She said they dropped off plastic bags, filled with recently purchased shoes and clothes, at her counter before they entered the store.

She could not remember what time they entered the store.

After Nigel bought the electronic products, Dampies said she asked Nigel how he was able to afford it.

She said Nigel replied that he "has a budget".

'Something didn't feel right'

Dampies said Nigel told her that Johannes was his cousin.

"Accused number one [Nigel] told me that he and his cousin, accused two [Johannes], were studying at college, but Nigel looked too young for me. Something didn't feel right," Dampies said.

She said Johannes paid separately for the groceries at a cashier, roughly five metres from her, with the bank card that had "Rust" written on it.

Nigel then went over to fetch the bank card to pay for the electronics.

"After he entered the pin, I took out the card where I could see Rust written on it."

Dampies said that after Johannes bought the groceries, he attempted to buy jewellery but the transaction was denied.

"It was denied because it needed authorisation. Authorisation possibly means the bank limit has been reached and we needed to phone the bank for approval."

She said Johannes cancelled the transaction and left the store.

"Both appeared very relaxed," Dampies said.

'Didn't look like your typical crime scene'

Earlier on Tuesday morning, Sergeant Johannes Davids from the Wellington police station, testified that when police arrived at the scene, Rust's body was found with rope on her chest and plastic tape around her neck.

"Rust's husband [Manie] said he removed the rope and tape when he saw the body, as he believed she was still alive."

Davids said there were no signs of breaking and entering on the property.

"No windows were broken, no nothing."

In addition to the murder charges, Nigel and Johannes also face an attempted arson charge for allegedly switching the Rusts' gas stove on and leaving a burning candle next to it.

Davids said when he arrived at the home it smelled heavily of gas.

The candle next to the gas stove was already put out when he arrived at the scene.

"It didn't look like your typical crime scene. There wasn't things lying around or drawers open or anything."

The trial continues.

News24
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...ing-spree-with-her-bank-card-cashier-20171024
 
'Piles of stuff' brought home by man accused of author's murder

Cape Town - On the day that Wellington writer Winnie Rust was killed, one of the men accused of her murder arrived home with groceries, electronic goods, and sweets for his children, the Western Cape High Court heard on Tuesday.

Johannes Plaatjies and his 19-year-old nephew, Nigel Plaatjies are accused of Rust’s murder.

Both have denied involvement in the killing.

The teen has admitted that he robbed the Rust home, and claimed that his uncle persuaded him to do so because he needed money to pay off a drug dealer.

The uncle’s former girlfriend, Jennely de Jager, testified on Tuesday and described how he arrived at home with "piles of stuff".

She said there were groceries, bags from a clothing store, a new silver and white Samsung cellphone, a laptop and an iron.

"He brought sweets for the children and sauces," the mother of two, who works as a cleaner, said.

He also gave her R400 towards support for their children. This was over and above the R600 he had given her when he arrived the previous Saturday from Montagu.

'Scrap money'

De Jager said she had complained about the R600 child support when he gave it to her, saying that it was not enough.

He promised to bring more. When he gave her the groceries and the extra money, she asked where it all came from.

“He told me, and I took his word, that it was from scrap money," said De Jager.

She testified earlier that her boyfriend made a living scavenging for old metal and selling it.

On the night of Rust's death, he told De Jager he was going to visit Nigel Plaatjies – the same explanation he had given every night since he had arrived from Montagu.

She asked him what the two of them do every night and he responded that they download movies and music.

He would usually return around 21:00, bath and go to bed.

The night he returned with all the groceries and treats, he asked to be awoken at 05:00 the next day because he wanted to take the laptop to a friend, whom he identified as Elvis, in Wellington. She noted that, although the cellphone was new, the laptop was not.

The next day he was gone when she woke up, but he returned in time to get the children ready. She did not ask him any questions about what had happened to the laptop.

When she got home on Thursday night, he was dressed and ready to return to Montagu to prepare for an operation he was supposed to undergo the Monday.

Shopping

He took everything he had brought home on the Wednesday night, except the groceries and the iron he bought for her.

He asked for R10 in taxi money, but otherwise, let her keep the money he had given her.

Earlier, the court heard testimony from employees at Game and Sportscene, where Rust's card was used for a spending spree.

During the testimony of store staff, it emerged that Rust's bank cards were mostly used with ease.

A manager at Sportscene said she remembered the pair. It was almost time for the shop to close and the value of the purchase helped them to reach their sales target.

The court heard that the Sportscene transaction was processed without the normal processes being followed.

They are supposed to escalate to a more senior manager to authorise transactions over R1 000 and to ask for an identity document.

Rust had taken the teen under her wing, which is why he was a regular visitor to her home in the small Western Cape town.

Since the setup of the house was known to him, his uncle thought it would be a good idea if he helped, the court was told on Monday.

His uncle apparently assured him she would not be hurt, the teen claimed.

The two are charged with the murder of Rust, as well as attempted murder and attempted arson, in addition to a number of theft and fraud charges.

The attempted arson relates to the discovery of a burning candle next to a gas stove which had been turned on.

News24
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...ome-by-man-accused-of-authors-murder-20171024
 
Winnie Rust murder accused will not testify

Cape Town – The two men accused of the murder of Afrikaans author Winnie Rust have elected not to testify.

Rust’s daughters were at the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday when the men appeared and sat behind them during proceedings.

One of the accused, Nigel Plaatjies, 19, was supposed to testify in his defence but, when court proceedings commenced, he claimed he had a headache.

Judge Elize Steyn adjourned to allow the once promising athlete to receive medical attention, warning him that his credibility would be affected if it was found that there was nothing wrong with him.

When court resumed, however, his advocate, Yasmine Rajap, told the court her client had decided he would no longer testify.

She said Plaatjies told her during a consultation that his headache was not so severe that a doctor's visit was necessary.

"I informed him of his options and he chooses to close his case," Rajap informed the court.

His co-accused and uncle, Johannes Plaatjies, through his advocate Ken Klopper, also told the court that he would not testify in his defence.

Nigel's mother worked for Rust's daughter.

Rust had been paying for the teen’s sports activities and school fees since he was in Grade 7 and he regularly visited her home.

Pleaded not guilty

In his plea explanation, he denied that he had killed Rust and claimed that his uncle convinced him to rob the Rusts in Uitsig, Wellington so that he could pay off drug debt.

He added that he never meant for Rust, whom he described as "his biggest fan", to die.

He has pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder and attempted arson charges.

However, he pleaded guilty to theft - a charge which arose from the use of Rust's bank card.

The 19-year-old had failed in his bid to be released on bail on two occasions.

In his initial statement to police, he claimed he was forced to take part in the robbery at Rust's home because his co-accused owed a drug lord money and his family's safety had been threatened.

During his second attempt at bail, Nigel told the court he walked in on the robbery.

He said he had an appointment to see Rust to discuss her paying for him to obtain his driver's licence. His uncle, along with three others, had been committing the robbery and forced him to participate.

The uncle denied the allegations against him, admitting only to pawning two rings that belonged to Rust.

Closing arguments are expected to be made on Monday.

News24
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/winnie-rust-murder-accused-will-not-testify-20171114
 
Two found guilty of robbing, killing writer Winnie Rust

Cape Town – The Western Cape High Court has convicted promising Wellington athlete, Nigel Plaatjies, and his uncle, Johannes Plaatjies, of the murder and robbery of author Winnie Rust.

Judge Elize Steyn found that the two accused had acted together when they killed her in her home on May 11, 2016.

"Nigel tried to minimise his role," Steyn said of the man, who denied killing Rust and who claimed that his uncle had coerced him into participating in a robbery at Rust’s home.

Nigel described Rust as his "greatest fan".

His mother had worked for Rust's daughter and he was a regular visitor to Rust's home.

Rust had taken him under her wing and, on the day she died, she had planned to help him get his driver's licence.

However, he let the dogs out instead, and he and his uncle killed her and robbed her of her jewellery and laptop, Steyn said.

Rust’s husband Manie found her body.

Steyn did not find them guilty of the "bizarre" attempted murder and arson, which involved allegedly switching on the gas of a stove and putting a burning candle next to it.

Dr Deidre Abrahams, who conducted an autopsy Rust, testified that there were signs that she had tried to fight off her attacker. Tape was put around her neck and her airways were blocked so that she could not breathe.

Sentencing proceedings in 2018

The judge found that there was also evidence that both men benefited from Rust’s bank cards after they went on a shopping spree. Both were found guilty of fraud as a result of this.

The pair stood trial for murder, attempted murder, attempted arson and a raft of theft and fraud charges.

They had also been accused of stealing her laptop and rings, which were recovered.

In his plea agreement, Nigel pleaded guilty to theft charges related to the use of her bank cards, and not guilty to murder, attempted murder and attempted arson charges.

Johannes had pleaded not guilty to all of the charges but admitted that he had sold two gold rings.

Nigel said in his plea agreement that he had reluctantly agreed to help Johannes stage a robbery because Johannes owed a drug dealer money.

He said he had never meant for Rust to die.

Rust's family left quickly after the judgment was handed down.

Nigel and Johannes were led back into custody and the case returns to court on February 5 for sentencing proceedings.

News24
https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/...f-robbing-killing-writer-winnie-rust-20171204
 
Shees, I swear he could have made a huge success out of his life and leave all the crap behind. There was actually some one tha twanted to help him but some people just dont want to be helped I guess
 
Really sad that they killed some one that was helping him , rather than a random stranger and trying to blow up the house
 
WINNIE RUST’S DAUGHTER CALLS FOR HARSH PUNISHMENT FOR KILLERS

CAPE TOWN - A daughter of author*Winnie Rust*has called for harsh punishment against two men convicted of her murder.

The Western Cape High Court has been hearing arguments in mitigation of sentence, against*19-year-old Nigel Plaaitjies*and his uncle Johannes Plaaitjies.

They robbed and killed 77-year-old Rust in her Wellington home in May 2016.

Her husband found her body in their kitchen.

Helen Reid has told the court the damage caused by her mother’s murder is irreparable.

She says the manner in which her mother was killed breaks her heart.
Click to expand...

More at : http://ewn.co.za/2018/02/19/winnie-rust-s-daughter-calls-for-harsh-punishment-for-killers
 
Winnie Rust murderer dreamt of being a policeman, court hears

Cape Town - Celebrated Afrikaans author Winnie Rust was helping Nigel Plaatjies attain his dream of becoming a policeman.

Instead, while she was planning his future, he was plotting her murder, her daughter testified in the Western Cape High Court on Monday.

"She chose to invest herself in Nigel and he chose to kill her," Helena Reid said during sentencing proceedings for the 19-year-old, who was once a promising athlete.

Rust had been paying for Nigel's sports activities and school fees since Grade 7 and he was a regular visitor to her home.

Nigel and his uncle Johannes Plaatjies were convicted in December of robbing and murdering Rust in her home in Uitsig, Wellington on May 11, 2016.

Judge Elize Steyn found that the two accused had acted together when they committed the crime, despite Nigel's claim that he was forced by his co-accused, who is his mother's brother and who has a string of convictions to his name.

A family photo was presented to the court, which also features Nigel and his sister, who were considered part of the family. His mother, Lien, had worked for Rust's daughter as well as Rust's home.

'The mastermind behind the murder'

On the day of her murder, Rust's husband Dr Manie Rust, found her body on the kitchen floor when he awoke to the sound of the bell ringing at 15:30.

She had injuries to her face and had been strangled. Her hands and feet were bound.

Reid said, when she saw what Nigel and his uncle had bought with the stolen money - items such as takkies, a music system and an iron – she questioned why he would swop her mother's valuable involvement in his life for "a few thousand rand and bags of worthless goods".

He was a familiar face in their home, and regularly had lunch with Rust before she helped him with his homework.*

" While you slyly in the shadows planned her death, she was planning your bright future. Everywhere in her office we found notes where she reminded herself about your urgent needs and milestones in your life.

"When this court case started, we hoped that you were the vulnerable … youth that was influenced by your criminal uncle. But, during the course of the trial, it became clear that you were the mastermind behind the murder and that you involved your uncle to execute your own dark plan.

"The happy home in Third Avenue, where my [siblings] and I grew up and where my father lived for almost 50 years, where so many irreplaceable childhood memories were created, changed overnight into a damned murder [scene] – a place of unscrupulous betrayal and suffering," she said.

Nigel showed no remorse and, in the two years since Rust's murder, he never asked her family to forgive him, Reid testified.

"Our family gave you the best and in return, you do the unthinkable to us. In vain we look for signs of humanity in your behaviour, signs that you are heartbroken about the motherly figure, the mentor that you killed in such a cruel way.

"Never do you speak the truth about my mother's last moments – what her final words were, about the cruel realisation in her eyes when she realised with shock that the young man in who she invested so much, betrayed her."

Rust's friend, Eugenie Wiggins, also testified about the author's involvement in the Wellington community and the local museum.

"She was our first lady," Wiggins said.

Former Wellington mayor Herman Bailey also spoke of Rust with fondness, saying she had done much to bridge the divide between the coloured and white residents that apartheid had created.

He described her as the town's icon and said that locals had been devastated by her "senseless death".

Proceedings continue on Tuesday.

News24
https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/...amt-of-being-a-policeman-court-hears-20180219
Click to expand...
 
"When this court case started, we hoped that you were the vulnerable … youth that was influenced by your criminal uncle. But, during the course of the trial, it became clear that you were the mastermind behind the murder and that you involved your uncle to execute your own dark plan.
Click to expand...

This whole story is just really sad. A friend of mines son were friends with the boy. Seems as if the lady was really good to him, and he really had a promising future. They could not believe the story when it broke, as the boy was (according to them) not the kind of person to do this. I think this so called uncle of him forced him to do what he did. He should have been strong and gone to the police instead of being co-erst into murder.
 
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