'God wanted my parents'

2008-09-30 22:27

Pinetown - The investigating officer in the murders of the Lotter couple told the Pinetown Regional Court on Tuesday in detail how the two were horrifically murdered.

Investigating officer Constable Kubendran Naidoo was testifying at the bail application of Matthew Naidoo, described by his co-accused and girlfriend as "a son of God".

The 22-year-old applicant along with his girlfriend Nicolette Lotter, 26, and her brother Hardus, 20, are accused of murdering their parents - Johannes and Magdalena Lotter.

The police officer said Magdalena was shocked with an "electrocution machine" before her hands were bound with cable ties.

"Her mouth was then gagged with a sock and then shut with duct-tape."

A syringe was used to inject an air bubble into her bloodstream. This was done several times and on different parts of her body.

"Thereafter she was assaulted and stabbed several times."

Magdalena died at the scene.

Fight broke out

Naidoo told the court that Johannes Lotter was in his bedroom when a piece of electric cable was used to strangle him.

"During this act a fight broke out with Mr Lotter. He was also assaulted and died of his injuries."

His naked body was found lying in the passage. Later, Matthew Naidoo pointed out where "exhibits" were hidden - in dustbins at two intersections in Westville.

During Naidoo's summary of the murders, Nicolette Lotter bent her head down and closed her eyes.

Police found syringes, three pairs of gloves, cable ties, insulation tape, a sock and the bloodied clothing belonging to the siblings. All three accused later made confessions to police, but Naidoo said all were contradictory.

Six weeks before their murder, the Lotter couple were told through a letter that they had a month to live, the court heard.

The policeman also revealed that the Lotter couple had received three SMSs and letters which contained "threats against Mr and Mrs Lotter as well as their children".

"In the first letter, it said 'in a month's time you will be killed' and six weeks later.... Mr and Mrs Lotter were killed," said Naidoo.

Father suspected Naidoo

The couple subsequently opened an intimidation docket with police. Johannes Lotter suspected Naidoo of sending the messages.

The policeman said the three had initially made up a story to cover up their crime, but got caught in "their web of lies".

"They came up with their so-called story that accused two (Nicolette) and the applicant were at a movie and having ice cream and accused one (Hardus) was at home watching television... when the crime took place."

The trio told police Hardus presumed his sister's car had entered the driveway and upon opening the gate and doors, he was accosted by two gunmen wearing balaclavas.

He was locked in his bedroom while his parents were murdered.

In her statement, Nicolette revealed that she believed her boyfriend was a "son of God".

"In her statement, accused two (Nicolette) said Matthew had told her and her brother that he was a medium that God and evil could use to speak to them.

"Accused two informed us there were instances where certain predictions the applicant made did come true... She believed God wanted her mother and father," the officer said.

Murder 'was premeditated'

Responding to a question raised by magistrate Yuga Naidoo on allegations that the siblings had been manipulated by Matthew Naidoo, the officer said: "Both siblings could have pulled out of the plan if they wanted to, but they didn't.

"The murder was premeditated and planned by the applicant with [the brother and sister] long before the night of the crime."

It was also revealed that Matthew Naidoo lied to his family about his whereabouts up until the crime. He had told them he worked for Virgin Mobile in London and was living there. However, police said that in an interview with him he had admitted this was not true.

According to the statements of his co-accused, Naidoo was living at the Lotter home while he was dating Nicolette. Prior to this, he lived with his parents in Sastri Park, Phoenix.

The court heard that the matter was ready for trial, but that cellphone data, the psychologist's report and forensic evidence were still outstanding.

Magistrate Naidoo said there were no exceptional circumstances to warrant the applicant's release on bail.

The siblings and their lawyer would decide whether or not to apply for bail later.

Matthew Naidoo's application was postponed to October 15, when he would be cross-examined.

- SAPA