The Gqeberha man who admitted to killing his former wife wants the case to be resolved quickly.
Earlier today, 27 June in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court Johnny Baartman (59), who has been charged with the murder of his ex-wife Desiree Baartman, admitted to the district surgeon that he killed Desiree.
Baartman also admitted that he cleaned the blood from the crime scene. He told the district surgeon that he was provoked by her and then killed her in their house.
The district surgeon’s report was read into record by state prosecutor Melani Hammett.
Hammett stated that the investigation into the murder of Desiree would still be carried out.
In the middle of the court proceedings, Baartman and his defence attorney, Qhamani Sinefu, had a brief consultation.
Sinefu later told the court that his client wants the case to be resolved quickly.
After the consultation Magistrate Dumisani Apollos stated that Baartman’s case would be referred to a panel of psychiatrists to see if he can stand trial for his alleged crime against his ex-wife.
“Baartman will appear in court every 30 days until a bed has been secured at Fort England,” said Apollos.
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Unlike his emotional state when confessing his alleged crime to the district surgeon, Baartman stood in an apathetic manner during this afternoon’s court proceedings.
He is expected back in court on Tuesday, 18 July.
Desiree’s body was found on 20 June in a stormwater drain next to Standford Road near the Jagtersvlakte area.
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Desiree has been missing since 9 June. Concerned family members, whom she regularly visited, enquired about Desiree’s whereabouts when they could not trace her. Baartman reported her missing on Wednesday, 14 June at SAPS Bethelsdorp, about five days after she was last seen.
Baartman was arrested on 17 June after police conducted a thorough forensic investigation at his house. A firearm was also confiscated.
