The man dubbed the “Springs Monster” and his estranged wife are on trial in the North Gauteng High Court for crimes including torture of their five children, attempted murder, rape, defeating the ends of justice, possession and dealing in drugs.
The estranged couple stood about five metres apart in the dock, when the State Prosecutor, Jennifer Cronje read out their indictment with 22 charges to court.
The 37-year-old father from Springs, in the East Rand, was arrested about two years ago for allegedly abusing, torturing and holding his five children and wife hostage for years.
Judge Eben Jordaan of the High Court in Pretoria, heard on Monday that the secondhand car sales businessman tortured and kept his family captive in their house from 2005 to 2014, the children were aged between two and 16 years old at the time of the crime.
Identities of the pair may not be revealed to protect their children who are now under the care of their relatives.
The man’s wife was arrested at a later stage as an accomplice when according to medical reports, all the children except the two-year-old, had wounds on their bodies and that none of the children attended school.
The “House of Terrors” ordeal came to light when the pair’s 11-year-old son escaped from the house and alerted neighbours, who reported the situation to police.
The trial continues on Tuesday. The children are expected to testify “in camera”, meanwhile the man remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II prison while the wife is out of a R2,000 bail.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
