Murder accused denies abuse, labels ex-wife a ‘drama queen’

ALBERTO Matthews, who is accused of the murder of his ex-wife, Mandy Bailey, claimed that he “loved and cared for her” and stated that he knew nothing of any offence he had committed.

He also argued that witnesses had lied about him being abusive towards the deceased.

“I heard what they said, but it is a lie. She [the deceased] was a drama queen and exaggerated how bad things really were.”

Matthews was charged with the murder of Bailey after he allegedly contravened a protection order and broke into her home in Main Road, Beaconsfield, on December 27, 2024.

He allegedly fired several shots at Bailey in her bedroom, in the presence of her nine-year-old daughter. He also allegedly pointed a firearm at Bailey’s brother, Wesley Bailey, and her eldest daughter, Erin Cupido.

Matthews was found in illegal possession of a firearm as well as 28 rounds of ammunition at the time of his arrest.

Testifying in the Northern Cape High Court, Matthews indicated that it was not the first time he had stayed “at home” after Bailey had taken out interdicts against him.

He explained that he had lived for more than five years with the deceased and her family in Main Road, Beaconsfield.

Matthews said he wanted to know why Bailey was speaking on her cellphone outside the house on November 23, 2023.

“She said she was busy with a call about Erin’s college. We went inside to the bedroom, and I wanted to see who she had called.”

He stated that they pushed each other during an argument when he tried to grab her cellphone.

“While we were wrestling for the phone, we both landed on our backs on the bed. I don’t know why she screamed.”

He later denied pushing Bailey and explained that he had held her against the cupboard.

Matthews added that Bailey reprimanded Cupido when she ran into the room and started hitting him with her fists.

“Cupido came in with an attitude. I took my belongings and drove off. Before the incident, Cupido became physical with me, and I lost all contact with her.”

Matthews explained that he requested a friend who was employed at SAPS, who had a bakkie, to assist him in loading a fridge that belonged to him when he decided to leave the house.

“I drove to George, where I stayed for eight days. Not long after I returned to Kimberley, my mother phoned me to tell me that Mandy was scared because I was back. I don't know why she was anxious. When we were married, there were a lot of things that she was doing. There could be a lot of reasons – I could see her with someone.”

He stated that he stopped to speak to Bailey as he was driving out of Diamond Pavilion Mall in December 2024.

“In terms of the protection order, I was not allowed to speak to her or go to the house. We had also blocked each other’s contact numbers. I asked her if I could come and collect my belongings from the house. The deceased told me that I could come around when I was in the area.”

He accused Bailey’s brother, Wesley, of being the one who shot her and who proceeded to point a firearm at him.

“I was not in possession of a firearm. I am not sure if he chased after me. I ran out, jumped in the car and drove off.”

Matthews later denied that he was in the lounge or that there was an altercation between Wesley and him.

He initially claimed that Bailey was shot when she tried to intervene.

He also denied admitting that he had shot the deceased.

“I have no knowledge of any offence,” he said.

Matthews stated that he was not on good speaking terms with Wesley.

“We did not care for each other.”

He also blamed his legal representative for not taking proper instructions.

“I never drove into the yard of the deceased. I hooted and the gate opened. There were a lot of things that were put to the court that I never mentioned to him.”

He added that he entered through the back of the house.

“I stood in the middle of the kitchen and I saw Mandy passing the bathroom. She did not appear pleased to see me.”

‘Deceased suffered a history of abuse’

State advocate Leshnee Pillay pointed out that merely pushing the deceased amounted to assault.

“She was trapped in a violent, abusive relationship,” said Pillay.

She highlighted that Matthews had gone to Bailey’s home despite an interdict obtained against him.

“The accused must have known that there would be consequences if he went to the house. He could be arrested, yet he still went. Everyone in the house was afraid of the accused.”

Pillay argued that Matthews kept changing his version of events and was misleading the court.

“The accused is blaming his legal representative and is lying,” she said.

She stated that Matthews had already loaded all his possessions into his car when he first left the house and that he had no reason to go to the home of the deceased on the day of the murder.

Closing arguments will be heard before Judge Danie Olivier on November 24.

Advocate Obakile Maroke is representing the accused.