A man accused of beating a Pretoria businessman to death after a road rage incident last Friday has been released on bail of R20 000.
Jaco du Toit, 45, appeared in a special Pretoria Magistrate’s Court yesterday where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder.
According to the state, Du Toit – who pleaded self-defence – allegedly assaulted Koos Vermeulen, 62, after an apparent road-rage incident on the corner of De Villebois Mareuil Drive and Delmas Road.
Vermeulen died in the Kloof Hospital on Wednesday morning.
The court heard in a statement read by Du Toit’s lawyer, Marius van Huysteen, that he acted in self-defence as Vermeulen had started the fight. According to the statement, Du Toit left the scene when employees transported by Vermeulen jumped off the vehicle Vermeulen was driving and tried to assist him (Vermeulen). Du Toit claims he drove straight to the Silverton police station, where a case of assault was opened.
The court further heard that Du Toit is married, has two small children and that he is the only breadwinner. Van Huysteen – who had proposed an amount of R5 000 for bail – was told that the court was not satisfied with the amount, due to the seriousness of the case.
Bail was set at R20 000 on condition that Du Toit does not interfere with state witnesses should they be known to him. He is expected back in court on June 9. [Story by Yolande Du Preez, Pretoria News]