Trial of pair accused of killing Pofadder Hotel owner resumes

THE MURDER trial of two people accused of killing well-known Pofadder Hotel owner Leon Brits resumed in the Northern Cape High Court, which is sitting in the Upington Circuit Court, on Monday.

The accused, Enrich Williams, 35, and Amatle Bareki, 25, are facing charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances as well as the unlawful possession of firearms.

They are accused of being hired as hitmen by Suretha Brits to kill her hotelier husband on October 7, 2020.

His body was found floating in a swimming pool on one of his properties. He had sustained several stab wounds and was also strangled with a dog chain.

Suretha Brits was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to the murder of her husband.

The regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said that during the trial, which started in November last year, the court had heard statements and testimonies from various State witnesses.

“The most compelling is that of Jacques van Vuuren, who was tasked by Suretha to find the hitmen to kill her husband. Van Vuuren, who became a key State witness, was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment with five years suspended for his role in the killing of Leon Brits,” said Senokoatsane.

Advocate Johannes Cloete is representing the State in the matter.