Oosthuizen

Paarl murder accused hires private lawyer

THE Paarl man accused of murdering and burying his pregnant girlfriend in his parents’ backyard wants the matter to be heard in-camera and intend applying for bail.

Jacobus Oosthuizen made his second appearance in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he indicated he was dropping his Legal Aid attorney and had hired a private lawyer.

Oosthuizen faces charges of attempted murder, murder and four counts of fraud and vehicle theft in relation to the killing of Nicola Pienaar in January. State prosecutor Nathan Johnson said more charges could be added.

Oosthuizen had previously

faces charges vehicle theft

said he would not apply for bail.

The case attracted public and media attention when Pienaar went missing in January. She was last seen alive on January 5.

Her mother, Malaine Pienaar- Vice, reported her missing three days later, prompting a police search for the woman and the family’s car, a gold Peugeot.

The car was found in Oosthuizen’s possession in Port Elizabeth.

Police said that on January 29, Oosthuizen led them to a secluded part of his parents’ backyard where Pienaar’s body was found.

This was after he appeared briefly in a Port Elizabeth court in connection with the car theft case, which was transferred to Paarl.

Yesterday, Oosthuizen asked the court to consider hearing the matter in camera.

His defence said they were willing to supply reasons in support of the application.

The State said it would oppose this and any bail application.

The parties debated whether the charges against Oosthuizen fell under Schedule 5 or Schedule 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The State was of the view that the seriousness of the crimes were in line with Schedule 6 and the defence disagreed, saying Schedule 5 was more appropriate. Magistrate Diane Blaauw said the court could not rule on the issue because it had no facts.

She scheduled a preliminary court hearing for March 31, when the State and the defence will argue the scheduling issue as well as the application to hear the case in camera.

A bail hearing was set for April 20.

noloyiso.mtembu@inl.co.za