Community members have called for bail to be denied to murder accused Daniel Louw, who is charged with killing his 76-year-old grandmother. Picture: Sandi Kwon Hoo
A 35-YEAR-old man accused of brutally murdering his 76-year-old grandmother has claimed to be "hearing voices" and will undergo mental observation.
The victim was discovered in her home in Chris Hani Park, Galeshewe, on January 24. Her body was found in the dining room, with her head decapitated.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane confirmed that the accused, Daniel Louw, is facing a murder charge.
“According to reports, the incident occurred at the deceased’s home while she and the son of the accused were preparing to go to bed. It is alleged that Louw arrived, carrying a knife and a steel pipe. He climbed onto the roof and walked on top of the house,” said Senokoatsane.
He added that upon entering the house, Louw allegedly confronted his grandmother, demanding tea and sugar.
“He then reportedly struck her in the face with a panga. The eyewitness ran outside to seek help and, upon returning, found the grandmother critically injured.”
Senokoatsane said that Louw would undergo a mental evaluation to determine his state of mind at the time of the incident.
Louw appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on February 6 for a formal bail application.
His legal representative, Ms Lenyora from Legal Aid South Africa, informed the court that her client claimed to be "hearing voices" and that she suspected he had a mental condition. She stated that she was unable to take proper instructions from him.
The accused’s aunt, Jennifer Kganyego, said Louw had experienced “some issues” since October 2024 but was not taking any medication for his condition.
“He usually says that he hears voices speaking in his head and wanted to commit suicide in October last year. Before that he did not exhibit any unusual behaviour,” said Kganyego.
She added that Louw lived with his 13-year-old son in the same street, opposite the deceased’s home.
She further stated that the family and Louw’s girlfriend suspected that he had been using drugs since October 2024.
“We took him to hospital to draw blood and drugs were found in his system,” she claimed.
Magistrate Ashley Pillay pointed out that Louw was facing a Schedule 5 offence for a murder charge, with the accused having made his first court appearance in the Galeshewe District Court on January 30.
“The accused has been advised to abandon his bail application until he has undergone mental observation on March 26,” said Pillay.
He postponed the matter until March 27 for the psychiatric report to be made available. Louw will remain in custody.
Meanwhile, community members have strongly opposed Louw’s release, fearing for public safety.
Community leader Lawrence Makhwanazi stated that a petition signed by 130 community members had been handed over, demanding that Louw remain in custody until the trial is finalised.
“We will return to court to show support to the family of the deceased when he (Louw) re-appears in court. A protection order has been granted in favour of the girlfriend of the accused,” said Makhwanazi.
Other community members threatened to take the law into their own hands if Louw was released.
“This cruel murder should never have happened and no one feels safe,” they said.
Galeshewe Community Policing Forum member Anna Bogacwe stated that Louw’s minor child should undergo trauma counselling. “He should be placed in a safe haven for his own protection.”
A community activist, Herbert Miller, believed that Louw should be denied bail due to the seriousness of the charges that were levelled against him.
“Accused persons who claim to hear voices or use drugs should still be held responsible for their actions,” he added.
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