‘Springs Monster’ weeps bitterly in the dock
THE BULKY man dubbed the “Springs Monster” yesterday burst into tears and sobbed bitterly as his ex-wife testified how they, as a young couple, moved away from his parental home after his father had shot his mother before he committed suicide.
The sobs of the 37-year-old man, dressed in his usual purple shirt, became louder when his wife, who is also his co-accused, described how they endured hardships at the time.
They had to sleep in their car and in a caravan before they eventually moved to the “house of horrors” in Springs.
This display of emotion followed after his advocate, Anneke van Wyk, questioned his wife about their life together, and her claims that she was so terrified of him that she could not safeguard their five children from his alleged abuse.
The couple, who got divorced in July last year, while the woman was out on bail and the man awaiting trial in jail, are facing an array of charges, mostly involving the abuse of their children.
They are also facing a charge of attempted murder regarding their 11-year-old son, who was repeatedly beaten with the fist in the face, allegedly by his father.
The man, identified as accused number 1, through his lawyer told the court that he would not testify. His wife, in taking the stand, blamed everything on him and said she and their children were terrified of him.
She testified how he cuffed her and her son to each other from time to time, and then cuffed them to the legs of the pool table, where they had to remain for an entire night.
She told the high court in Pretoria in detail of other incidents where he allegedly tortured them.
The man, who often sat with the Bible open on his lap in the dock, from time to time during her evi- dence shook his head in disagreement with what his wife said.
He also often dabbed his eyes with his handkerchief – but yesterday was the first time that he sobbed out loud.
Judge Eben Jordaan was told that since he had been in jail following his arrest in June 2014, he had “found God” and was an active member of the prison’s Bible study group.
His wife said she too was religious and that she prayed every day for her children, who were removed from her care after the couple’s arrest.
Two women, who have taken the man under their wing and sat behind him in the public gallery, not missing a day in the trial, told The Star he was a changed person and highly emotional.
His wife painted a bleak picture of him during her evidence and testified she was virtually kept hostage by him.
She said she had to be by his side 24 hours a day and she was never allowed to leave the house by herself.
The trial continues.
His dad shot his mother, before killing himself