'Ghost told me to be a Satanist'

2008-08-27 11:05

Johannesburg - A matric pupil who allegedly killed a fellow schoolboy with a sword, believed he was told by a ghost to become a Satanist, the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court heard on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Engela Van Der Merwe read the court a letter from a psychiatrist who evaluated Morne Harmse, 18, earlier this week.

The psychiatrist, MM Moleti Listheko said Harmse told him he had seen a ghost in a field on a farm his parents rented, which told him to become a Satanist.

Listheko said Harmse seemed depressed and recommended he be sent for psychiatric evaluation at Sterkfontein Mental Hospital. Magistrate Christa Breedt ruled that Harmse be sent there on Wednesday.

Said Listheko: "His affect was flat, he had good insight into the incident", adding that Harmse was small in stature. He said a possible diagnosis was that Harmse suffered from a personality disorder, but further evaluation was needed.

Nervous

Appearing in court on Wednesday dressed in a blue tracksuit top, and red T-shirt, Harmse appeared very nervous, averting his gaze from the public gallery.

Breedt told Harmse that three psychiatrists and a psychologist would assess if he could gauge the difference between right and wrong and whether he was fit to stand trial.

Harmse's parents sat in court along with some students, who appeared to be from the Nic Diederichs Technical High School where Harmse, allegedly brandishing a samurai sword and wearing a mask, slashed 16-year-old Jacques Pretorius across the neck on August 18. Pretorius died on the scene.

Harmse then allegedly stabbed and injured another boy and two gardeners.

The case was postponed until September 26, when it was expected that the results of the mental evaluations would be presented.

After court was adjourned, Harmse's mother was seen crying in the corridor of the court building, as her husband held her hand and led her away.

- SAPA