National
Bail ruling in Winnie Rust murder case─── 06:20 Thu, 23 Jun 2016
Wellington - The two men accused of killing author Winnie Rust will hear the outcome of their bail applications when they appear in the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Nigel Plaatjies, 18, and his uncle Johannes Plaatjies, 34, are accused of killing Rust, 77, in her Third Avenue, Uitsig, home on May 11.
Rust was providing financial support to the teenager, an athletics star who matriculated last year. Her husband, Dr Manie Rust, 87, found her dead on the kitchen floor. She had been strangled.
Investigating officer, Cornelius de Lange, told the court last Monday that according to Nigel's statement, Johannes forced him to help burgle the couple's house.
Nigel's fingerprints were found on a table next to where Rusts's body was found. He allegedly used her bank card at an ATM for three transactions valued at R5 000, and her credit card for purchases at Game, jeweller Tiffany & Co, and Sportscene in Paarl.
Nigel pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and murder. Johannes had not pleaded yet.
Nigel, the court heard, had no prior convictions. Johannes had a string of convictions: housebreaking, eight of theft, two of assault, and two of drunk driving.
