More tests for 'Modimolle Monster'

2012-11-30 14:37

Johan Kotze in court. (Werner Beukes, Sapa

Pretoria - Alleged "Modimolle Monster" Johan Kotzé will undergo further psychological tests in Bloemfontein before his trial resumes next year, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard on Friday.

The trial was postponed on Friday to February 4 next year, because the last two state witnesses were not available.

A doctor specialising in sexual violence cases still has to complete her evidence.

The State will also call the specialist who treated Kotzé’s estranged wife Ina Bonette after the attack as a witness.

Judge Bert Bam ordered that Kotzé be transferred to the Grootvlei prison near Bloemfontein for further psychological and psychiatric assessment.

He made it clear that Kotzé’s transfer would be dependent on the availability of accommodation at the prison.

Psychiatric report questioned

Kotzé’s advocate Bernard Bantjes earlier told the court Kotzé questioned the report by three psychologists at the Weskoppies psychiatric hospital who found him fit to stand trial.

He said the issue of Kotzé’s accountability would be placed in dispute on both a pathological and non-pathological basis.

When asked repeatedly to state his client's defence and to state if this included that he could not follow court proceedings, Bantjes said he had instructions that Kotzé understood the proceedings.

Bam, at the commencement of the trial, refused a postponement so that Kotzé could be assessed for a second time and ordered that the trial proceed.

Kotzé, Andries Sithole, Pieta Mohlane, and Frans Mphaka are accused of murdering Kotzé’s 19-year-old stepson Conrad Bonette at Kotzé’s house in Modimolle on 3 January this year.

They are also accused of kidnapping, severely assaulting, repeatedly raping, and attempting to murder Kotzé’s former wife earlier that day.

A plea of not guilty was noted on behalf of Kotzé after he refused to enter a plea, claiming his accountability and ability to follow and contribute to court proceeds was in question.

Not guilty pleas

His three co-accused all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

They claimed Kotzé had forced them to take part in the attack on Bonette and claimed they had only pretended to rape her, because they could not get erections.

All four accused will remain in custody.

Bonette testified how Kotzé had tortured her with various objects and cut or sawed off both of her nipples before he instructed the other three to rape her.

She was made to listen to her son pleading for his life before Kotzé allegedly shot him in the head and heart.

- SAPA