Murder accused loses bid to bar media from trial

A MAN accused of murdering his girlfriend and possibly her unborn child failed yesterday in an attempt to stop the media covering his bail application.

Jaco Oosthuizen, 33, was arrested in Nicola Pienaar-Vice’s car in Port Elizabeth on January 22 and allegedly took police to his parents’ back yard in Paarl where she was buried.

Oosthuizen’s lawyer‚ Arthur Olsen‚ told the Paarl Magistrate’s Court his client was afraid of the media, based on previous conduct.

But state advocate Nathan Johnson said it was social media that was to blame for a great deal of misinformation and speculation.

“Bar the media and you will have worse speculation,” he said.

Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Katrien Breytenbach said media blackouts were permitted only in special circumstances‚ such as to protect the lives of witnesses in gang cases. In February‚ it was reported that Oosthuizen was also being charged with attempted murder because an incision was found on the lower abdomen of pregnant Pienaar-Vice.

The 28-year-old was reported missing by her mother‚ Marlaine Pienaar‚ on January 5.

It is believed she was killed on January 6.

Oosthuizen said the media had incorrectly reported that she was pregnant and that he had confessed to the crime.

Olsen also wanted magistrate Dianne Blaauw to rule that the media may not report personal information of any of the witnesses because they would be ostracised by the Paarl community.

Olsen said false reporting by the media could infringe on his client’s right to a fair trial.

Blaauw responded: “It would only [have an] impact if the court goes on newspaper articles to make a decision.”