NATIONAL NEWS - An Alberton couple accused of murder, Werner Jack Schoeman (42) and Delichia Bekker (43), pleaded not guilty at their pre-trial hearing in the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Alberton Record reports that the two are accused of murdering Susan Gillian Murray, who lived on Oribi Street in Verwoerdpark, Alberton.
Schoeman and Bekker denied all charges and pleaded not guilty to murder, fraud and assault.
The victim, Susan Gillian Murray, was 75 years old when she was killed. According to her death certificate, she died on 3 November 2023.
At the time of her death, Susan shared her house with her daughter, Delichia Bekker, and Bekker’s boyfriend, Schoeman.
Susan’s other children became concerned when they could not reach their mother when calling her. On other occasions, Bekker would pretend to be Susan by responding to WhatsApp messages sent to Susan’s phone.
Whenever Susan’s son wanted to visit, Bekker – still pretending to be Susan – would use her phone to send excuses, such as saying she was not at home, at church, or giving other reasons why he should not come.
Susan’s son went to his mother’s Alberton home unannounced.
He found the house ransacked and discovered that several items – including appliances, a bicycle, a watch, and a tablet – had been pawned.
During this time, Susan’s body was lying in a field for about a week before being discovered. Police were called, and they later opened a murder docket.
Susan Gillian Murray lived in Verwoerdpark at the time of her death.
Susan’s body was positively identified on 27 November 2023.
Schoeman and Bekker were arrested days apart and have been behind bars since. Their case has been mired in postponements since their arrests.
However, the state has, since 4 June maintained that it is satisfied with the evidence in the docket and the charges brought against the accused and is ready to proceed with the trial.
The trial is scheduled to take place from 15 to 19 September.
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