Extradition case postponed

The extradition inquiry involving Neville van der Westhuizen – the SA man accused of killing two Irish nationals in 2014 – has been adjourned until 13 October for the defence to conduct research on the matter. A News24 report says Van der Westhuizen appeared in the Durban Regional Court on Friday, where he maintained an objection to the inquiry against him. According to Irish law enforcement authorities, Van der Westhuizen allegedly committed the double murder together with his lover, Irish national Ruth Lawrence, before fleeing to SA. Lawrence was arrested in Bloemfontein in October last year and deported back to her home country in May. On Thursday, Van der Westhuizen based his objection on fears that he might be killed if he's extradited to Ireland. Ntando Cele, his attorney, said his client had received death threats and was informed that he would be executed as soon as he landed in Ireland.

On Friday, the issue of two affidavits – dated 17 and 18 August 2023 – deposed by Irish police took centre stage. The defence said it had received them on 18 September, three days before the inquiry commenced, and complained that they had little time to prepare. However, the prosecutor, Advocate Naveen Sewparsat, explained that the affidavits had to go through diplomatic channels before they could be shared with the defence. According to the News24 report, Cele maintained his argument that the affidavits were deposed in a different jurisdiction and some research was required before he could advise his client on the appropriate response. He said the documents raised issues he was not familiar with. In response, Sewparsat said the state was still deciding whether to use the affidavits. ‘My learned friend must also note that this is an inquiry, not a matter being dealt (with) within the realms of a criminal matter,’ he said. He said the state would persist with the call for Magistrate Kevin Bruorton to rule that Van der Westhuizen was liable to be extradited.