Staff Reporter
STATE witnesses, including a senior medical officer and the station commander of the Mariental Police Station, today testified in the case of Carlos Le Roux, a 24-year-old mentally challenged man who was murdered by his biological father, Hendrik Stefanus Le Roux, 59, and brother, Borris Le Roux, 29.
The two are charged with murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act 4 of 2003, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, in that during the period of January 7, 2021, at Takarania location, they allegedly hit the deceased on his body and head with broomsticks, plastic pipes, steel pipes and/or other unknown objects, and/or hit his head against hard objects. The victim died at the scene from subdural bleeding caused by blunt force trauma to the head.
While the State alleges that the father and son conspired to kill Carlos because he had become a problem to them—as neither police nor social workers could help with the deceased’s behavioural problems—the two pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder and claimed they acted in self-defence.
Mariental Station Commander, Eglin Jossob, testified that he knew the deceased Carlos, as his father Hendrik would come to the station and complain about the deceased, who would usually come home late at night, get involved in physical altercations with his father and brother, and break or steal household items.
He added that on the morning of 9 April 2021, Hendrik came to his office around 8:00 AM and said that Carlos was dead. “I asked him, ‘Is it Carlos again?’ He did not say anything. He followed me into my office and said, ‘Carlos is dead.’ I said, ‘What?’ He then repeated that Carlos is dead. I asked what happened, and he said, ‘Carlos came back last night, he was going on again. Me and my son hit him,’” Jossob said, adding that he had taken the accused to the head of CID.
He further said that he had not arrested the accused immediately, as he was in disbelief.
Also testifying was the Chief Medical Officer of Mariental State Hospital, Dr. Mupupo Mulolo, who explained that the deceased had been diagnosed with substance-induced psychosis, which resulted in him being disconnected from reality, suffering from hallucinations, confusion, and delusions.
He added that the deceased had been on anti-psychotic treatment and was unable to work due to his condition, receiving a government grant. Dr. Mulolo, however, could not confirm that the deceased was violent based on his medical passport and his own assessments. He said Carlos had been adherent to treatment, regularly attending follow-up visits, but that his symptoms persisted and his condition was not well-controlled.
The matter continues before High Court Judge Philanda Christiaan. The accused are represented by Pene Liebenberg, while the State is represented by Prosecutor Ethel Ndlovu.
