Schroeder case: two in court

WHILE the body of Jeffreys Bay businessman Claus Schroeder is yet to be found after more than five years, the trial of the German couple accused of his murder started in the Port Elizabeth High Court yesterday.

Jens Leunberg, 36, and his wife Kristina Adler, 38, allegedly murdered Schroeder on his farm near Thornhill in August 2009 before disposing of his body.

They also face two charges of fraud related to falsified documents and banking details they used when applying for travel documents and business permits in South Africa.

With the couple appearing before acting judge Thembekile Malusi, state prosecutor Marius Stander led the court through the indictment.

Working through Cape Town based company Intergate Immigration, that assists foreign nationals applying for travel doc- uments and business permits in South Africa, Adler, Leunberg and their two children, who were minors at the time, visited South Africa on numerous occasions between 2007 and 2009.

It is, however, alleged that Adler supplied false documents and bank statements when applying for the permits, meaning the couple and their children’s travel documents and business permits were fraudulently obtained.

When in South Africa they met Schroeder, planning to buy his farm Owvanuk where they would start a company called Thornhill Ubuntu Tourism Activities.

They entered into further agreements with Schroeder to also buy three Jeffreys Bay properties, as well as vehicles and trailers, worth more than R62-million.

The state alleges that when Schroeder demanded payment from Adler and Schroeder in 2009, one or both of them lured him to Owvanuk where they were staying. They allegedly murdered him and disposed of his body. Schroeder is presumed dead, although his body has not been found.

In previous court appearances Leunberg was unkempt, with a bushy beard and wild hair.

Yesterday, his long hair was tied in a ponytail while his chest-length beard was braided.

He is still in custody, while Adler was released on R20 000 bail in 2011.

Defence attorney Alwyn Griebenow, appearing on behalf of Adler, said Adler denied any knowledge of the murder and fraudulent dealings.

She applied for travel and business documents under the impression that her documentation was in order and said all business dealings with Schroeder were handled by Leunberg.

Gerrit Cilliers, for Leunberg, said Leunberg did not want to make a statement at this stage.