A 29-year-old blockman from Meyers Park, Pretoria, was referred for mental observation by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for a second time on Wednesday.
This follows Daniel Petrus van der Walt not being admitted to the Weskoppies psychiatric hospital for 30 days’ observation, as had been ordered in May by the court, because there were apparently no beds available.
Van der Walt has been in custody since February 20. He was arrested after he had allegedly confessed that he killed 20-year-old Marlene Mauer with a hammer.
Mauer’s body was discovered in the boot of her boyfriend’s car two weeks prior to the arrest.
The vehicle was parked on the corner of Church and Hilda streets in Pretoria. She had been missing since she had left her new job at Van der Walt’s business the previous day.
Mauer’s boyfriend, Anton Bergsma, and Van der Walt had been questioned during investigations by police and private security companies.
It was allegedly discovered that Mauer had found out that Van der Walt was involved in unlawful business and told him she would report him to police.
He then apparently murdered the woman.
Police also earlier said that they confiscated several items, allegedly relevant to the murder, from Van der Walt.
On Wednesday, the state asked for another referral to Weskoppies, explaining that no beds had been available since the last referral.
The state added that the investigations were finalised according to the investigating officer, except for the results of DNA tests.
The court allowed a final remand for the purpose of a mental evaluation, saying the issue had been dragging on too long.
The case was postponed to July 14. — Sapa