Share

Stompiesfontein farm murder: Two post-mortems were performed on victim, court hears

Two different post-mortems were performed on Doctor Masilela, which may have come to different conclusions, alleges the defence attorney of two men accused of killing Masilela on Stompiesfontein farm in Mpumalanga.

Garry Wiblin and Dennis Grose are accused of shooting Masilela before removing his body from the scene and dumping it under a bridge.

READ: Stompiesfontein farm murder – State ordered to hand over witness statements

During their bail application in the Delmas Regional Court last week, defence attorney Christo van As made an application to the court requesting the post-mortem results, as well as phone records and witness statements.

Van As said two post-mortems were conducted, one just after Masilela died and a second just before Wiblin and Grose were arrested. He speculated the results of the two post-mortems differed.

The defence's argument for the documentation arose from the fact that cellphone records and witness statements were being used during cross-examination by the State.

"[The State] is using cellphone records to try [to] attack and destroy my clients' credibility," Van As told the court. 

Advocate Themba Lusenga, for the State, opposed the application, citing the requested information could not be given to the defence as the investigation was still at a sensitive stage. 

Lusenga said Wiblin and Grose could not be trusted as they were accused of interfering with the crime scene and even trying to create another crime scene by moving Masilela's body. 

Magistrate Jongilizwe Dumehleli found in favour of the defence and ordered all cellphone records and witness statements implicating the two men in the murder of Masilela on June 17 be handed over. 

ALSO READ: State pokes holes into Stompiesfontein farm murder accused's testimonies

The pair, who are part of the Rural Safety Corps that works with the local community policing forum, were called out to the farm, where people were allegedly stealing beans and mielies. 

Wiblin testified that a man named Andre Strauss had called him and told him to bring his thermal imaging camera, which can detect heat signals at night. 

When he arrived, he found Masilela on the back of a bakkie. He claimed Masilela was later beaten by Dawie Lecordeur who manages the farm.

Wiblin alleged that Lecordeur, Strauss and another farmer had entered the field and found another man.

During this time, Wiblin claimed, Masilela had run away. However, the State contended Wiblin had shot Masilela between the eyes before his body was dumped under a bridge. 

News24 previously reported Lecordeur had turned State witness and that the charges against him had been dropped.

It was reported that Lecordeur had admitted to knocking down Masilela with a bakkie. 

Wiblin and Grose are facing charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, murder, violation of a corpse, and defeating the ends of justice.

Their bail application is expected to continue on Wednesday.

GET THE NEWS at your fingertips and download the News24 app for Android here now. Get it for your iPhone here.

KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE newsletter.

- FOLLOW News24 on Twitter

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 582 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 822 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.89
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.87
+0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE