Wife killing: DNA tests outstanding

Pretoria woman still missing, accused’s case adjourned until next year

THE family of missing Pretoria woman Dawn Basdeo will spend the festive season no closer to knowing what happened to her.

Dawn’s husband, Prem Emmanuel Basdeo, 58, who is a former Durban policeman, has been charged with her murder, but her body has yet to be found.

In Basdeo’s recent court appearance, the court heard that DNA tests results believed to be from blood stains found in their home were still outstanding.

Outside court, Dawn’s daughters were inconsolable. Other family members directed media to the family spokesperson and requested space to console the women.

According to initial reports, Basdeo allegedly reported his wife missing on June 8. He claimed she had left home for blood tests at a nearby hospital.

He reported her missing, but police allegedly discovered blood at their home, which prompted them to believe she had in fact been murdered.

Basdeo was denied bail, with the court saying he had provided “no exceptional circumstances” that warranted his release.

However, bail was granted after he appealed to Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, Acting Judge David Makgoba.

Judge Makgoba set Basdeo’s bail at R50000, saying there was no reason to believe that he would attempt to evade justice. Basdeo is also facing charges of perjury and defeating the ends of justice. He will return to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on February 1.

Basdeo’s first wife Neetha was found murdered in 2000.

After her death, Basdeo and his son were charged with her murder.

However, they were both acquitted of the charges in the Durban High Court in 2004.

Meanwhile, the Port Elizabeth High Court yesterday convicted Dene Stebuys, 42, of bludgeoning his wife to death with a rock in June 2016.

Judge Irma Schoeman said Stebuys had direct intent to murder his wife, Marilyn, who had taken out a protection order against him out of fear he would kill her and their children.

Marilyn had been granted the protection order in May 2016, but was murdered the following month.

Stebuys was also convicted of contravening the protection order, assaulting Jonathan Gabani and the common assault of his wife and assault of his son Denwin, 16.

Stebuys had accused Gabani of having an affair with his wife.

Judge Schoeman described Stebuys as a “bad witness” who changed his version as the trial progressed. She said Stebuys had contradicted himself and the version of events put forward by witnesses including his brother and father.

Pre-sentencing proceedings were expected to get under way today.