The murder case against Blue Bulls rugby player Jacobus Stephanus “Bees” Roux has been postponed to February 23 when he appeared briefly in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Roux’s legal team on Tuesday confirmed receiving the documentation that led to the previous postponement. It was not revealed what the papers contained.
Roux stands accused of murdering 38-year-old Tshwane metro police officer Ntshimane Johannes Mogale in August last year.
Metro police officer Leonard Erasmus — who was in possession of the documents — was subpoenaed in Roux’s last court appearance in December 2011.
In postponing the matter, Magistrate Desmond Nair said he would consider the date on which the matter should be heard in the Pretoria High Court, and that an indictment would be issued to Roux so he could fully understand the charges against him.
Nair told Roux he would consider extending his R100 000 bail at his next appearance, on condition he showed up. Failure to do so would mean forfeiting the money to the State.
Roux nodded and occasionally said “yes” as Nair addressed him.
Members of Roux’s family sat in the front row of the packed public gallery, listening attentively.
Timeline
August 27 2010: Roux is allegedly stopped in connection with drunk driving and is later arrested for allegedly beating a metro policeman, Ntshimane Johannes Mogale, to death. Roux spent the weekend in jail.
August 30 2010: Roux appears in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court and his defence council asks for R5 000 bail. The state in turn asks for R20 000 due to the nature of the crime, saying Roux is accused of a schedule six offence because a law enforcement officer was involved. Roux is later granted R100 000 bail. The court hears that Roux intends pleading not guilty to charges of murder and driving under the influence of alcohol. Radio 702 reports Rudi Krause, Roux’s lawyer, saying that his client was never arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, nor were any tests conducted to prove this.
August 31 2010: Roux is placed on leave by the Blue Bulls.
September 3 2010: Springbok coach Peter de Villiers says the national rugby team is 100% behind Roux, a statement that sees him being criticised by the Young Communist League, South African Rugby Union, and then sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile.
October 15 2010: Roux appears in the Pretoria Magistrates Court, and the case is postponed to allow for further investigation.
December 10 2010: Tshwane metro cop Leonard Erasmus is ordered to be at the next appearance by Nair because Krause had subpoenaed Erasmus to appear, with certain documentation which he did not bring. Nair grants an order that the R100 000 bail be converted to a guarantee for which Krause’s firm would be liable if Roux does not honour his bail conditions. – Sapa and Staff reporter