KARIEGA – Natasha van Eck (57) appeared before the Kariega Regional Court yesterday, 21 September, for the murder of her husband, Gideon van Eck (60), on his farm on 13 November 2022, claiming it was in self-defence.

Yesterday’s appearance was for cross-examination into the evidence she shared on 9 September.

The state alleged that the murder was premeditated and that the deceased’s death resulted from physical abuse. The accused was in a domestic relationship with the deceased and lived with him on their farm, together with their daughter, Nadine, Nadine’s husband, and their son, Gideon Junior.

The court heard that Natasha allegedly filed for divorce at the end of November 2022.

Natasha commented on the relationship between the deceased and Junior, including an incident involving a cot that Gideon had built for his son. The deceased later broke the baby cot during an alleged “angry outburst”. She described the deceased’s behaviour, citing his “geaardheid” and his tendency towards anger outbursts.

The court heard that Gideon Junior was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age. As he grew older, he began smoking excessively. Natasha allegedly described her son as a “chain smoker,” saying he smoked approximately 30 cigarettes a day.

The deceased was allegedly unhappy about his son’s smoking and tried to control the situation. He allegedly took Gideon Junior into the bush to discipline him. Natasha also referred to the difficulty of getting her son to stop, asking, “How do you stop a chain smoker from smoking?”

The deceased also built a house on the farm for Gideon Junior. Natasha stated, “I tried to get Junior out of the house, in his own house, so that the situation would stop.” The relationship between father and son became strained, with the deceased allegedly becoming frustrated by Junior’s behaviour.

Dewald Williams, a police officer and acquaintance of the family, who was present in court, was approached for comment, but declined to speak. The court heard that Williams was allegedly present on the farm when Gideon took his son into the bush to discipline him. Williams also assisted Gideon with building a house for Gideon Junior.

The deceased was described as a father who cared deeply for his children. He allowed Gideon Junior to live on the farm after Junior lost his job and built a home for him. Gideon encouraged his son to attend a psychiatric institution, Mondia Health Sunnyside, because of his disorder.

The court also heard that the deceased showed care towards his son by telling Emmie Posthumus, his sister, in a voice note, “I want him to be healthy; he is neat and intelligent; he must bring his side.”

Despite this care, tensions between Gideon and his son allegedly persisted. At one point, the deceased reportedly tried to push his son away from the family home. Following the schizophrenia diagnosis, the relationship between father and son became increasingly strained, with the deceased reportedly becoming more distant.

The relationship between Gideon and his daughter Nadine Vermeulen was described as close. Vermeulen was referred to as the “apple of his eye” before her marriage.

That close relationship allegedly changed after Vermeulen got married. The deceased allegedly became distant towards her and her husband. The deceased allegedly threatened to kill his daughter’s husband, with Natasha stating that he took out a shotgun when making the threat.

The alleged threat was reportedly captured in a voice note on the deceased’s cellphone, which was later in Vermeulen’s possession and saved on a USB stick.

Vermeulen reported the deceased to the police, to Williams, in Rocklands, Gqeberha. Williams allegedly found the deceased at the farm, drunk on pills, and went to sit with him.

The relationship between Gideon and Vermeulen’s husband, Rinus, was initially good. Natasha stated, “It is both our money that was given to Nadine and Rinus to renovate their house on the farm.”

However, disagreements allegedly developed over the farm, money, and property decisions, including an alleged verbal agreement regarding renovations, sheep investments, and extending the farm by a few hectares. Natasha said, “As long as you agree with the deceased, it is good.”

The deceased approached Natasha, showing her his red neck, claiming Rinus had assaulted him, hitting him on the face and strangling him. He asked his wife whether he must see a doctor. Natasha admitted doubting him owing to previous incidents where the deceased would walk into a tree deliberately and accuse his wife of scratching him.

The court further heard that the deceased also attempted to drive Vermeulen, his wife [Natasha], and his granddaughter Dianie (18 months) off the road when they were in a “bakkie” with a trailer at the back. He would lock his wife in the house to prevent her from leaving the farm.

With allegations of threats, family disputes, and a voice note reportedly recorded before Gideon’s death, the events leading up to the shooting remain under scrutiny. What happened on the farm before Gideon’s death is expected to emerge as the court hears further evidence.

The matter is set to continue today for further cross-examination. The accused is out on bail.

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