Lee-Wayne Koert who is charged with the rape and murder of his girlfriend is set to reappear in court on 13 August. The case was postponed pending further investigation.

Koert is facing rape and murder charges after the death of Janine Diane Hopley (38) who was his alleged girlfriend at the time of her death. He first reported her missing on 1 May, one week before her body was found at Caledon Cemetery on 7 May.

His first court appearance was on 11 May which was postponed to 14 May to allow his application for a Legal Aid lawyer.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Hopley died three days before Koert reported her missing. It had been nine days since she died when she was found. The pair were in a domestic relationship.

On 14 May, community members submitted a signed petition to the Caledon Magistrates’ Court, NPA and the police calling for Koert to be denied bail. The petition cited various reasons why he should not be granted bail; including but not limited to: severity of the crime, interest of public safety, risk to the community and witnesses as well as justice for Hopley and her children. Koert was subsequently denied bail.

Hopley was a mother of two and died on 28 April. An enquiry into her disappearance was registered by the police and investigated after Koert filed the missing person’s report. This led to an ongoing search by the police as well as community members.

ALSO READ: The tragic death of Janine Hopley: Caledon murder and rape case postponed to early August