Husband appears in court for murder
2010-07-22
Lise Beyers
WAS the murder of a young Franschhoek woman a crime of passion, instead of a burglary gone wrong? These are questions which are now being asked by Franschhoek residents, after the arrest of the victim’s husband. Residents of Franschhoek were shocked to the core two weeks ago when Chanel du Toit (28) was found dead in the bedroom of her home on Dieu Donné wine estate, which she shared with her husband, Johan (26). And residents were once again shaken last week, when Johan was arrested in connection with his wife’s murder. Johan had left the farm at 02:00 on the morning of Chanel’s murder, allegedly on his way to a sudden hunting trip in Namaqualand. When he was unable to contact Chanel while he was on the road, he contacted his mother, Ronelle, who also lives on the farm. She then made the shocking discovery shortly after 08:00. Chanel was found naked on the floor in the couple’s bedroom. According to sources, Chanel was strangled, and had the skin of her attacker under her nails, while numerous scratches were visible on Johan’s face on his return. The dogs on the farm did not bark that night. On Monday morning, during Johan’s first court appearance at the Franschhoek Magistrate’s Court, he did little more than stare starkly straight ahead of him in the dock. He was supported in court by his distraught mother and his father, Hennie. Johan’s legal representative, the well-known criminal lawyer William Booth, told magistrate Nobahle Mkabayi that his client had throughout the investigation given his full co-operation to the police. He further stated that there were no grounds on which the state could oppose bail, even though the crime of which du Toit is accused is a very serious offence. He indicated that the state had agreed to this. The case was then transferred to the Paarl Magistrate’s Court, where yesterday Magistrate Dianne Blaauw granted du Toit bail of R6000. Booth stated in court that his client wiould be pleading not guilty to the charge of murder, and he also indicated that the defence might appoint independent specialists to investigate the forensic reports, once available. The sleepy town of Franschhoek battles to come to terms with the events which have taken place. Various residents who knew the couple said that they were extremely happy and there was no evident sign of friction.
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