Realtor granted bail in wife murder case

Murder accused Jason Rohde was allowed to leave through a back door, evading dozens of cameras, after being granted bail in the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Earlier, in a meeting between the defence and the prosecution, a R100 000 bail deal was agreed. By the time magistrate Greg Jacobs granted bail, the money was ready to be paid in cash.

Rohde, who is chief executive of Geffen International Realty Franchises, has been charged with the murder of his wife, Susan Rohde, on July 24, when her body was found in the couple’s hotel room at Spier wine estate.

After court adjourned yesterday, Rohde strolled out of the back gate waving goodbye to the court police officers. He was driven away in an SUV by his team of private investigators.

Outside court, a member of his defence team, Tony Mostert, said Rohde’s arrest in Bryanston last week and detention were “wrongful”.

Besides the bail paid yesterday, Rohde is also expected to have a R1-million guarantee ready by September 14.

He is due back in court on September 23.