Supplied
Two German nationals, Jens Leunberg (42), and Kristina Adler (44), were sentenced to 25 and 10-years imprisonment, respectively, for fraud and the murder of fellow German national, Claus Schroeder.
Judge Thembekile Malusi of the Port Elizabeth High Court found the couple guilty of the crimes in March 2021.
The National Prosecuting Authority said the two were arrested in July 2011 and the trial commenced in March 2015.
“Adler was absent in court after she was admitted in hospital due to the deterioration of her mental state,” said NPA regional spokesperson, Anelisa Ngckani.
She said Judge Malusi said that there were substantial and compelling circumstances in this case for the court to part from the minimum sentence provisions.
“Factors which were considered in Adler’s case were her ill-health, the welfare of her two young children who were separated from their parents at the age of three and five years, and the extended period she had been awaiting trial," Ngckanai said.
She said Leunberg, on the other hand, had been in custody for ten years awaiting trial.
Ngcakani said their conviction and sentencing related to Schroeder’s murder in 2009 in a property deal for his Owvanuk Farm for which Leunberg and Adler were expected to transfer R8.5 million rand.
“On 14 August 2009, Claus Schroeder arrived at Owvanuk farm as he was concerned that over a year had passed since the signed sale agreement between the two couples yet the R8.5 million had not been transferred,” she said in a statement.
Leunberg, who pretended that his vehicle had been stuck in the kloof, lured him to the area where he killed him.
“Claus Schroeder's body was never found, however, witnesses stated that they saw Leunberg emerge from the bushes with blood on his clothes.
Ngckani said the court congratulated state prosecutor, Advocate Marius Stander, and the Hawks investigator, Warrant Officer Daniel Siebert, for embarking on an extraordinary effort to prosecute and investigate the case against formidable odds.
She said at some point, they both faced serious health challenges during the 10-year life span of the case.
“Indeed, each of your efforts in this trial has been a credit to your profession and ensured that justice is served,” said Judge Malusi.
