Lowveld murder: Accused out on strict bail conditions
The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has granted bail to murder-accused Sonell Joubert, overturning the Tonga Magistrate's Court's earlier decision to deny her release.
According to Lowvelder, Joubert (43) was granted bail of R15 000 with strict conditions in a judgment delivered today.
She must attend all court appearances, report to the Tonga Police Station twice a week, notify authorities of any address changes, remain within the district unless permitted, and avoid contact with state witnesses.
Should she fail to comply, a warrant for her arrest will be issued immediately, and her bail money will be forfeited to the state.
Bail appeal reveals procedural concerns
Joubert had appealed her bail refusal, initially denied on February 24.
The appeal hearing, presided over by Justice J Vukeya last Thursday, revealed inconsistencies in documentation, leading the judge to request a supplementary affidavit from Joubert's legal representative, Adv Hennie van Rensburg. Judgment was reserved until today.
Throughout the case, Joubert has changed attorneys multiple times, including appointing Johannesburg-based lawyer Marco Lamberti, who later withdrew due to non-payment.
Details of fatal stabbing
Joubert is accused of fatally stabbing Jurgens Nel at Lowhills Farm in the Nkomazi region in early February.
On February 1, she approached the KaMhlushwa police, alleging Nel had violated a protection order she had instituted against him. That night, officers visited the farm but did not directly confront Nel, as Joubert and her life partner Johann Möller claimed he was armed and aggressive.
According to Van Rensburg, officers remained at the premises from 22:00 to 02:00, observing Nel moving through the house, switching lights on and off.
Two days later, on February 3, a group of eight officers, led by investigating officer Sergeant Bonginkosi Given Nguyuza, returned to Lowhills Farm.
After retrieving the keys from Joubert and Möller, they entered the house and discovered Nel's body with six stab wounds to the upper body.
When questioned, Joubert told police she had stabbed Nel during a fight, during which she sustained a minor cut below her left eye and another on her finger.
She was arrested on February 4 and has been in custody since then.
Questions over evidence
The court raised concerns over the minor injuries Joubert sustained, as well as the missing murder weapon, casting doubt on her account. Additionally, it was revealed that Lowhills Farm had been sold at auction, leaving Joubert without a fixed residence.
Joubert attempted to use her ownership of Tswale, a domesticated elephant valued at over R1m, as collateral in her bail argument.
Nguyuza responded that he was unfamiliar with elephant auction prices.
With strict bail conditions in place, Joubert will remain under close supervision as her case progresses.
She is expected to return to court in June, when further evidence, including the post-mortem report and crime scene photo album, will be presented.
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