They stand accused of luring elderly Petrus Scholtz to their home, where they allegedly strangled, beat and bound him, ultimately throwing him in a freezer on which they placed a rock – to ensure he could not crawl out.
The night 70-year-old Scholtz met his horrific end was the third time the Russouw family – Christine, 55, Chantell, 35 and Wayne, 31 – had allegedly tried to lure him to their home to murder him.
This is the case the state will lay out when the Russouws and co-accused Ronald Swartz, 24, are prosecuted, an official close to the investigation told Weekend Post on Friday.
The Russouws – at their first appearance in court – indicated that they would plead not guilty, while Swartz has yet to indicate how he will plead.
The source said the state would allege that July 17 was the third time the family had tried to lure Scholtz, an electrician, to their home in Woltemade Street in Kabega Park in an effort to rob him.
Two days later, Scholtz’s badly beaten and bound body was found beside a dirt road in Fairview, his head wrapped in clingwrap.
The official, who agreed to speak on condition that he is not named, said the state’s case against the four was clear-cut.
He said the state believed Scholtz was attacked from behind while in the house after Wayne Russouw allegedly called Swartz and arranged the attack with him.
“He fetched Ronald and took him to the house.
“When Scholtz arrived at the house and entered the kitchen, Ronald [allegedly] strangled him from behind with a cord while Wayne hit him on the head with a baton,” the official said.
The source said that it would be revealed in court that it was Wayne and Swartz who allegedly wrapped clingwrap around Scholtz’s head and tied his hands and feet together.
“They then put [Scholtz] in the freezer and put a rock on top of it because they feared he might try to climb out.”
Chantell and Christine then cleaned up the scene, the state will allege.
Scholtz’s body was found dumped by the roadside on July 19.
The Russouws were arrested on July 20 and Scholtz’s work bakkie that he was driving at the time was retrieved from a chop shop in North End the following day.
“Christine and Wayne [allegedly] went to sell the bakkie and received R5,000 for it – they would have received a further R5,000 when they produced the vehicle’s documents.
“The next day Christine and Chantell were seen entering a Cash Crusaders where they [allegedly] sold some of [Scholtz’s] belongings,” the source said.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu would not confirm any of the information given by the source.
Swartz was arrested on Thursday last week in North End.When the Russouws were arrested, some of Scholtz’s belongings, including tools, were allegedly found in their possession.
The freezer Scholtz’s body was stored in was also taken in by police as evidence after the Russouws allegedly attempted to sell it.
On Monday, all four of the accused appeared in court, where the case was postponed to Friday so Swartz could obtain legal representation.It was also postponed so Wayne Russouw could receive medical attention for an injury to his arm and to be given medication for his depression.
Appearing briefly before magistrate Thuli Betela, Russouw said he had still not received the medical attention he needed and that the wound to his arm had started festering.
“My hand is still raw. I had spoken to [prison officials] about the medicine for my depression but nothing has been done about it,” Russouw said.
On Monday, Betela ordered that Russouw receive medical attention, but prosecutor Melani Hammett said they could only make recommendations to St Albans prison.
“We cannot dictate to St Albans,” Hammett said.
Betela then issued a court order that Russouw be taken to hospital for treatment.
All four accused are represented by Legal Aid and are being held in custody. They are set to make a formal bail application on August 14.