The former Gqeberha teacher, Johnny Baartman, accused of murdering his ex-wife is fit for trial. The 59-year-old Baartman is charged with killing the mother of his two children, Desiree Baartman, earlier this year.
Baartman, wearing a grey jersey and jeans, briefly appeared in the Gqeberha’s Magistrate’s court today, December 8, where he is also charged with obstruction of justice.
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State Representative, Melani Hammett read out the state’s psychiatric report to the court, and it recommended that the law takes its course.
The report stated that Baartman has, ” no mental illness intellectual disability”.
“At the time of the alleged offence, the accused was able to appreciate the wrongfulness of the act in question and able to act in accordance with such appreciation of wrongfulness,” the report said.
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Baartman’s legal representative, Qhamani Sinefu stated that Baartman has indicated a request for bail.
Family members and Johnny Baartman’s two children were present at the court proceedings.
The matter has been remanded for Thursday, February 1, 2024.
