Former SANDF special forces soldier Nicolas Le Roux, accused of murdering his wife at a Westville restaurant, abandoned his bail application when he appeared in Pinetown Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The 67-year-old Le Roux, was charged with the premeditated murder of his wife Taryn. He allegedly shot and killed her at Waxy O’Connor’s last month and was expected to formally apply for bail after he missed court last week. However, he told the court that he would no longer continue with his bail application and would instead appeal Legal Aid South Africa’s decision to deny him a free lawyer.

Last week, Legal Aid lawyer Mandisi Mathebula said he would withdraw from representing Le Roux because he failed the means test for the services. He said Le Roux exceeded the threshold of R9 100. 

Mathebula further stated that on the next occasion, he would formally withdraw. On Wednesday morning, he indeed placed it on record that he is withdrawing. He informed the court that Le Roux has a right to appeal the decision. 

 “He has a right to appeal provided that he has an element of dissatisfaction,” Mathebula said.

 Additionally, Mathebula explained that the chances of Le Roux winning the appeal were slim, as a decision was taken based on the evidence of his income. 

Magistrate Stan Miloszewski advised Le Roux to get himself a lawyer. 

“Premeditated murder is not a charge that you can defend yourself against. It’s very serious. The High Court will not accept you defending yourself. Since law is not your domain,” magistrate Miloszewski warned.

He told Le Roux that the minimum sentence for premeditated murder is life imprisonment.

“If you are to meet that consequence, you need someone who is legally trained. It’s a tough and dark world when you are sitting there alone,” he said. 

However, Le Roux, who was composed and showed no emotion, insisted on continuing with his appeal, stating that he was employed on a contract basis.

“I have a letter from my employer that states that I will no longer be receiving a salary because I was a contract worker,” Le Roux told the court. 

Magistrate Miloszewski told him that the Legal Aid board would take approximately four to six weeks to make a decision, which could delay his matter, but Le Roux said he would wait. 

Prosecutor Cameron Roode told the court that he had been informed that the appeal process would be undertaken on Le Roux’s behalf by an individual he referred to as Mr Potgieter. 

“Mr Potgieter has been given power of attorney by the accused, and he (Potgieter) told me that they will appeal Legal Aid’s decision.” 

When the media brought an application to take pictures of Le Roux on the dock, he was asked if he consented to that. Le Roux said he had no problem. 

He is also facing charges of handling a firearm under the influence of a substance, possession of a firearm or ammunition with intent to cause an offence or resist arrest, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of unlicensed ammunition.

The matter was adjourned to November for the appeal decision as well as further investigation.

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za

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