Mom in court for attempted murder

A FORMER city police sergeant appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of attempted murder after she allegedly set a vehicle alight – while her two sons were inside.

The 35-year-old West End resident, who may not be identified in order to protect the identity of the minors, was arrested on two charges of attempted murder and two charges of child abuse/neglect following an alleged incident that took place on March 10 2018 at Diskobolos, Kimberley.

It is alleged that on that day the woman “unlawfully and intentionally attempted to kill” her two sons, aged six and 10 years, by setting a vehicle alight while the two boys were inside.

She also faces two charges of child abuse/neglect, with the State alleging that she “unlawfully and intentionally abused and or deliberately neglected” the two boys “by setting a motor vehicle alight whilst the children were sitting in it, thereby exposing the children to the danger of smoke and flames from a burning vehicle and failing to safeguard the safety and lives of her children”.

The woman was employed at the Roodepan police station at the time of the alleged incident. She was arrested on May 29 2018 and subsequently released on R2 000 bail.

She yesterday also appeared on a charge of theft, relating to a separate incident, where she allegedly stole a laptop from her place of employment. The cases were yesterday combined.

She is expected to make her next appearance later this month.

– Norma Wildenboer