A flat owner told the Western Cape High Court that he did not know murder and rape accused Johannes Christian de Jager.
|||Cape Town - A flat owner told the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday that he did not know murder and rape accused Johannes Christian de Jager.
Testifying in De Jager's trial, 55-year-old Noel Hales said he lived alone in Parow, Cape Town, and had not met the accused or a man called Johan from Namibia.
De Jager has pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of prostitute Hiltina Alexander in May 2008, and the murder of 18-year-old Mpumalanga resident Charmaine Mare in January this year.
In his plea explanation, he said he met a man called Johan and drank with him on May 18, 2008. They went back to Johan's sister's flat in Parow and drank some more. He picked Alexander up and brought her to the flat. He said he did not have sex with her.
Police officers testified that he pointed out a flat to them in 2011. Hales was later identified as its owner. He had lived there for 16 years.
He testified that in May 2008 only he and a “lady friend” he had known for nine years had keys to the apartment.
Sakkie Maartens, for De Jager, asked whether he was employed at the time.
Hales replied that he was working for Transnet at the Cape Town harbour and worked 7am to 7pm shifts.
“Did you ever work throughout the night?” the lawyer asked.
Hales said he worked night shifts and double shifts, but could not say what shifts he worked that month.
Maartens asked where his friend lived and slept that weekend in May.
“In the same flat,” Hales replied.
He was excused from the stand. The trial continues.
Sapa