/ 13 November 2001

JUDGEMENT DAY FOR ODENDAAL

THE Bloemfontein High Court is expected to pass judgement in the case of Piet Odendaal who is accused of murdering his employee, Mosoko Rampuru. Odendaal (45) stands accused of killing Rampuru at his business, Odendo Construction, on August 25 last year and then dragging the body through the streets of Sasolburg behind his bakkie for more than 5km. Rampuru’s body was found in the veld outside town that night with a piece of wire attached to his ankle. He apparently died after being hit over the head. Someone had also jumped on his chest. Odendaal has pleaded not guilty. He maintains he could remember nothing from about 8pm that evening, and that his use of the sedative Xanor coupled with alcohol had caused this memory loss. – Sapa