Illness stalls ‘Monster’ trial

THE mother-of-five who allegedly abused and neglected her children while they all lived in the so-called Springs House of Horrors was unable to testify yesterday as she claimed to be ill with tonsillitis.

The 37-year-old this week testified in detail about the alleged torture she and her children were subjected to at the hands of her now ex-husband, known as the “Springs Monster”.

She was due to spend her third day in the witness stand yesterday in the high court in Pretoria, but her advocate told Judge Eben Jordaan that she was already ill on Wednesday afternoon when she testified, and that she could barely speak.

The judge advised her to seek medical help and wished her well, so that she could resume her evidence on Monday.

The mother this week disclosed bizarre details of what she described as kinky sexual practices between her and the accused, on occasion involving a third woman called Blondie. The woman said her husband demanded sex up to 10 times a day.

Her evidence pertaining to how her husband allegedly tortured and assaulted their 11-year-old son left the court shocked.

The woman, sporting short hair and conservative brown and beige outfits, explained how she was forced to dress like a prostitute during her marriage. The couple got divorced in July last year.

The man, also 37, is in jail awaiting trial while his former wife is out on bail. Their five children have been removed from them and are being taken care of by relatives.