'I killed her', confesses Bouwer

2003-06-18 11:47

Johannesburg - Kempton Park resident Collin David Bouwer admitted in Johannesburg High Court on Wednesday to killing his wife Ria, and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of culpable homicide.

Bouwer admitted that he killed his wife at their home in Kempton Park on the East Rand on May 7, 1999. He was also found guilty of defeating the ends of justice for altering the crime scene to mislead police.

He initially pleaded not guilty to a murder charge when the trial started two weeks ago.

Prosecutor, advocate Riaan Kock accepted the guilty plea and Judge D Marais convicted Bouwer on the two charges.

The guilty plea, read to court on Wednesday by defence lawyer Jan Moller, stated Bouwer killed his wife of six months during a heated argument after she threatened to leave him.

He also admitted that he tried to make it appear that his wife had been sexually assaulted. Bail of R30 000 was extended and the case was postponed to next Thursday for the presentation of a report on the suitability of house arrest.

Mariette Kruger, convicted of helping her son to cover up the murder of her daughter-in-law, agreed on Tuesday to testify against him, the Star reported on Wednesday.

Kruger was in tears after the case was postponed at Johannesburg High Court. When she tried to speak to her son, he turned his back on her.

The dramatic turn of events happened when a visibly traumatised Kruger came to court to corroborate a sworn affidavit she had given to the State at the weekend.

- SAPA