Surprise twist in Lotz case
2005-09-16 22:36
Ziegfried Ekron
Stellenbosch - The hearing into the murder of Stellenbosch student Inge Lotz took a surprising turn on Friday when a court heard that colleagues of the accused, Fred van der Vyver, would be called as State witnesses.
Van der Vyver, 22, is accused of the murder of Lotz, also 22, in March in her flat outside town.
Meanwhile, the questions surrounding the murder of the promising Matie will remain unanswered for at least another year.
And, in this time, Van der Vyver may not discuss the case with his colleagues, who initially co-operated with his defence team.
Van der Vyver appeared in court on Friday when the case was postponed until the end of the year and a High Court date was set for October next year.
William Booth, Van der Vyver's lawyer, said outside court that an unusual situation had developed after the defence's statements, which were taken from Van der Vyver's colleagues to determine his alibi, were handed to the State.
Defence research for State's case
"The State has since done its own interviews with these people and will now call them as State witnesses.
"It's unusual for the defence's research to be included in the State's case.
"That means my client may not discuss the case with his colleagues, but he will be able to continue with his work," said Booth.
Van der Vyver returned to his work at Old Mutual in Pinelands two weeks ago. He is a bursary-holder and was working as an actuarial assistant.
He seemed self-assured when he entered the packed court with his father, Louis van der Vyver, and took his place in the dock.
The media, the curious and people who sympathised with either the Lotz or Van der Vyver families, packed the court until there was only standing room.
Van der Vyver's father, his mother, Carien, and two brothers, Alfons and Dawie, stood against a wall near the dock.
Prosecutor Carine Teunissen requested magistrate Oswald Kriegling to postpone the case to December 9 so that the investigation could be completed, and that the case be transferred to the Cape High Court.
She said the earliest date the case could be heard in the High Court was on October 9 next year.
Booth asked that his client's bail be extended.
Van der Vyver was released on R10 000 bail in June after he had handed himself in at Cloetesville police station at the State's request.
Van der Vyver spoke only to confirm his language preference. He said he had no preference because he was fluent in Afrikaans and English.
He undertook to appear in the same court on December 9.
'Poster man' waits in vain
Van der Vyver and his family left the court afterwards through a back door.
People stood around outside the court building speculating about the possible motive for the murder on March 16, when Lotz was allegedly beaten to death with an ornamental hammer.
A man carrying posters waited in vain outside the court for Van der Vyver to appear, but didn't want to show the wording.
Only the word "confess" was glimpsed.
- Die Burger