The murder case against Mauritz Andries Rheeder (57) has been postponed by the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court to Friday, June 20 for arguments in his bail application.
Rheeder is accused of murdering his partner, Riana Nel (50). Police reported that Nel died shortly after a visit from Rheeder during which he brought her refreshments to her hospital bed. Rheeder appeared for a formal bail application on June 17, where his lawyer, Lindelani Malala of Mvuzo Notyesi Attorneys, read an affidavit prepared by the accused.
“I deny the charges against me, and I intend to plead not guilty. I have no previous convictions and no pending cases. I suffer from prostate cancer, and I am undergoing chemotherapy. If I am kept in custody, I will lose my job and my two children will lose their financial support,” he said.
He said he was not a flight risk; he did not own property outside SA and did not have investments outside the country. Opposing bail, state prosecutor Yolisa Mtuze, reading an affidavit from the investigating officer, said the accused had no relationship with his children and they would not be prejudiced if he was kept in custody.
“This offence is gender-based and it is violent. The accused informed his colleague that he would be arrested because evidence showed that he murdered his partner. He wrote on his Facebook account that he was considering leaving the country. The accused is a flight risk. He will attempt to influence witnesses as he has authority over them in his workplace as he is in a managerial position,” Mtuze said.
This is a developing story.
