GQEBERHA – Businessman Arnold Terblanche is expected to appear in the Gqeberha High Court for the continuation of his murder trial in connection with alleged involvement in the murder of his estranged wife, Vicki Terblanche.

Judge Nyameko Gqamana confirmed that the trial will resume on 1 February 2027 and continue until 26 February.

In Friday’s (27 March) proceedings, Terblanche’s legal representative, Peter Dauberman, revealed that whilst it is the state’s allegation that Vicki was given an overdose of Percocet in a fizzy drink, no Percocet was detected in her blood or stomach.

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Dauberman requested the full toxicology report from the state, saying the defence wants clarity on exactly what tests were conducted in the laboratory.

Prosecutor Marius Stander said the tests were conducted by the government’s National Health Laboratory and that he had no mandate to request the file.

In response, Dauberman said Stander could issue a subpoena, as the defence could not interfere with a state witness.

Terblanche is facing life imprisonment for allegedly orchestrating the murder of Vicki through the assistance of Reinhardt Leach, her boyfriend at the time, and Dylan Cullis, Leach’s accomplice.

Vicki was murdered on 18 October 2021 in her home in Westview Village, Gqeberha. She had filed for divorce in December 2020 and died during the divorce proceedings with Terblanche. The couple married in 2006 and share a son.

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According to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Vicki had been seeking monthly maintenance of R35 000 and a significant financial settlement.

The state alleges that on the day of Vicki’s death, Leach and his accomplices drugged her by mixing a large quantity of “perkies” (Percocet) with a fizzy drink. Afterwards, Leach suffocated her with a pillow. The crime scene was staged to resemble a drug overdose, with drugs and crushed pills placed around the location.

After the murder, Vicki’s personal belongings were stolen. On 19 October 2021, Leach and Cullis transported her body in a car and considered various disposal methods, including setting it alight or burying it. After allegedly consulting Arnold, who refused to help, they buried the body in a shallow grave in Greenbushes.

Leach falsely reported Vicki’s disappearance to police on 21 October 2021. The crime was uncovered after a police investigation led to the discovery of Vicki’s body on 23 October 2021.

In his guilty plea, Leach revealed that he and Arnold discussed their plan to kill Vicki on 12 October 2021. Leach was to make it appear as though Vicki had died from a drug overdose to avoid suspicion and help Terblanche gain custody of their child. Court documents suggest that Leach, who was involved in criminal activities like abalone poaching and drug use, saw Vicki’s death as a way to gain access to her assets.

On 14 March 2025, Reinhardt Leach was sentenced to an effective 25 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, defeating the ends of justice, and possession of drugs.

Dylan Cullis, who was also involved in the case, was convicted of three counts: murder (18 years), robbery with aggravating circumstances (10 years), and defeating or obstructing the course of justice (5 years). Although the sentences amount to 33 years, the last two will run concurrently with the murder charge, resulting in a total of 18 years in prison.

Both men were arrested on 23 October 2021 and have since become state witnesses in the case against Terblanche.

In Friday’s final trial proceedings, Arnold’s brother-in-law, Regardt De Ridder, took the stand. De Ridder told the court that he had been working for ProAct Engineering, Arnold’s business, since July 2021, and that he was hired by Terblanche himself.

Prosecutor Marius Stander presented call logs between De Ridder and Terblanche from October 2021, questioning De Ridder about conversations he had with Arnold relating to the Westview Village residence where Vicki lived.

The Stander questioned him about a call he received from Terblanche on Wednesday morning, 20 October. He said that during the call, he was asked to go to Vicki’s home to check whether anything suspicious was taking place.

Records showed that De Ridder called Terblanche at 11:42 am in a 90-second call, after which he sent videos of drugs he had seen in the Westview Village residence.

De Ridder said that when he arrived at the house, Terblanche’s domestic worker, Sharon Yelani, was inside cleaning.

On Friday, 22 October, Terblanche made another call to De Ridder. He said Terblanche instructed him to feed Vicki dogs at her home in Westview Village.

During cross-examination by Dauberman regarding the domestic worker’s presence at the 20 Westview Village residence, De Ridder confirmed she was cleaning the house and that at some point she was holding clothes.

The matter was briefly adjourned. Upon continuation, Dauberman indicated he had completed his cross-examination.

The businessman was arrested in November 2021 and remained in custody for more than 15 months before his bail appeal was successful. He was released on R1 million bail after the Makhanda High Court granted his appeal on 9 February 2023.