The trial of a Kareedouw guesthouse owner, charged with the double murder of a young couple who died at his establishment, continued in Gqeberha on Monday.
49-year-old Kevin Pretorius, was arrested after the couple died at the Kliphuis Guesthouse from carbon monoxide poisoning in 2020.
The bodies of 25-year-old Jéan Vosloo and his 28-year-old fiancé Mari Hoon were found in the bathroom of his Kliphuis Guesthouse on Zuuranys farm about 17 kilometres outside Kareedouw.
Police initially opened an inquest docket, but Pretorius was arrested when the couple's toxicology report revealed the cause of death.
A former Conservationist, Matthys de Wet, testified on behalf of the defence.
De Wet is an expert on destructive species and the behaviour of baboons.
It is the version of the accused that the flue pipe, which was connected to the geyser, was broken by a troop of baboons in the area.
According to De Wet, the likelihood exists that the damage could have been caused by Baboons.
He said baboons often cause chaos in their search for food.
This includes opening windows and doors to enter premises and causing destruction while rummaging for food.
During cross-examination of the state prosecutor, Johan Jansen, de Wet conceded that he did not have a formal qualification on the subject matter.
He also conceded that he had never visited the Kliphuis Guesthouse in person and that he does not bear any knowledge of case studies where Baboons had removed flue pipes.
The case was postponed to the 24th of November.
The accused's bail of R1 000 has been extended.
