GQEBERHA – The murder trial of businessman Arnold Terblanche finally gained momentum today after a slow start earlier this week, with three state witnesses taking the stand at the Gqeberha High Court on 12 March.
The Gqeberha businessman is accused of conspiring to murder his estranged wife and mother of his son, Vicki Terblanche.
The wealthy businessman is currently out on R1 million bail and faces life imprisonment for his involvement in Vicki’s death.
During this today’s court proceedings, Terblanche’s legal representative Peter Dauberman argued that it is prejudicial to his client’s case that the State has not clarified whether they will rely on Reinhard Leach’s statement or Dylan Cullis’s statement regarding who suffocated Vicki on 18 October 2021.
State prosecutor Marius Stander countered that it is immaterial to the businessman’s case who physically committed the act, as Terblanche is charged as a party who allegedly instructed Leach, who was Vicki’s partner at the time, to murder the Gqeberha mother.
Vicki Terblanche was found dead in a shallow grave in Greenbushes, Gqeberha, after being given an overdose of drugs and suffocated with a pillow. She had been drugged by being given a large quantity of “perkies” with a fizzy drink. The crime scene where she died was positioned in such a way to make it appear as though she had suffered a drug overdose.
READ MORE HERE: Terblanche murder trial delayed over judge recusal concerns
Constable Nontutelo Tinto, the first witness in the Terblanche trial, is attached to the Mount Road Police Station where Leach reported Vicki missing. She testified that she was the one who spoke to Leach when he falsely reported Vicki’s disappearance to the police on 21 October 2021.
When questioned by prosecutor Marius Stander, she stated that she had filled out the police reports regarding Vicki’s disappearance. She confirmed that Leach had completed a SAPS 55 form, which is the standard form used when a person is reported missing.
According to the form, Leach claimed that he and Vicki had an argument, after which he left his residence in Westview Village, Newton Park. When he returned, she was missing. In his affidavit, Leach stated that Vicki was on multiple drugs and was stressed because she was going through a divorce.
During cross-examination, defence attorney Dauberman asked whether Leach appeared uneasy at any point during their interaction. Constable Tinto answered no, not that she could recall.
Constable Esme Kelly Nel, another police member attached to the Mount Road Police Station, further explained that on 22 October, while working the night shift, two police members went to Leach’s place of residence to conduct a check, as he was the one who had filed the missing person’s report for Vicki.
She revealed that Leach initially lied to police about being at home. After several attempts throughout the night, he eventually complied and opened the door for police to carry out their investigation.
Warrant Officer Ramano van Rhyners testified that he went to Leach’s house on 23 October to take photographs of the residence.
He confirmed that Tik (crystal methamphetamine) was found on Leach’s bedside table. Bodily fluids were also found using a 450nm light that illuminates fluids not visible to the naked eye. However, he revealed that the results of the swabs from the bodily fluids were inconclusive.
During the proceedings, Dauberman requested an opportunity to inspect the apartment where Leach resided at the time of Vicki’s death. However, that request was rejected by the current resident.
The matter has been postponed until tomorrow, 13 March, pending van Rhyners providing additional images of the residence.
ALSO READ: Terblanche murder trial delayed over judge recusal concerns
