Key Takeaways:
- Former SANDF special forces soldier Fredrik le Roux has been denied bail for the alleged murder of his wife Taryn le Roux
- Le Roux is accused of premeditated murder, with the state alleging that he shot his wife in the face at close range after a history of marital discord and threats
- The case against Le Roux is considered strong, with evidence including CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and audio recordings of Le Roux admitting to the crime
- Le Roux is considered a flight risk and a suicide risk, and has a history of violence against his wives and partners
- The court has postponed the case until February 6 next year, with Le Roux to remain in custody until then
Introduction to the Case
The case of Fredrik le Roux, a former SANDF special forces soldier, has garnered significant attention in recent weeks. Le Roux is accused of murdering his wife, Taryn le Roux, at a restaurant in Westville, Durban, in September. The incident occurred after a night of drinking and arguing, with Le Roux allegedly shooting his wife in the face at close range. The state has alleged that the murder was premeditated, with Le Roux having a history of marital discord and threats against his wife.
The Events Leading Up to the Murder
According to the investigating officer, Sgt Mathews Zulu, Le Roux and his wife had a history of marital problems, with Taryn having obtained a protection order against him in May 2019. On the night before the incident, the couple had a fracas, and the police were called. They were counselled, but the arguing continued the next morning. The couple eventually went to the restaurant, where they drank and argued again. Le Roux allegedly told his wife to "call the police again" before pulling out his firearm and shooting her. He then fired another round into the bar and reported to patrons that he had shot his wife.
The Evidence Against Le Roux
The state has a strong case against Le Roux, with evidence including CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and audio recordings of Le Roux admitting to the crime. In an affidavit, Zulu stated that Le Roux had remained at the scene and surrendered himself to security when they arrived. His personal firearm, a.45 semiautomatic pistol, was recovered, and the licence for it had expired in July 2021. Le Roux also made telephone calls after the incident, in which he nonchalantly told the person on the other end that he had shot his wife. The audio recordings of these calls have been submitted as evidence.
Le Roux’s History of Violence
Le Roux has a history of violence against his wives and partners. Taryn had previously laid a charge of assault GBH against him, but had not pursued it after obtaining a protection order. His previous wife had also laid two charges of assault against him, which she did not ultimately pursue. Zulu claimed that Le Roux was prone to violence due to his employment history as a defence contractor in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Somalia.
The Bail Hearing
Le Roux applied for bail, but the application was refused by Pinetown magistrate Gwendolyn Robinson. The state argued that Le Roux was a flight risk, with no assets in the country and questionable employment prospects. Le Roux had also not voluntarily handed over his passport when he was arrested, and it was only handed over by his nominated representative later. The court also heard that Le Roux was a suicide risk, having attempted to use his contact lenses to slash his neck while in detention. Magistrate Robinson refused bail, saying that there were no exceptional circumstances to justify Le Roux’s release.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The case against Le Roux has been postponed until February 6 next year, with Le Roux to remain in custody until then. The state will continue to build its case against Le Roux, with the evidence presented in court suggesting a strong likelihood of conviction. The incident has raised concerns about the prevalence of domestic violence and the need for greater support and protection for victims. As the case continues, it is likely to receive ongoing attention and scrutiny, with many watching to see how justice is served in this tragic and disturbing case.
