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Murder accused Johnny Baartman sent for psychological evaluation

Desiree Baartman

Supplied


The Gqeberha man accused of killing his ex-wife admitted to a district surgeon that he committed the crime.

Johnny Baartman, 59, is said to have told a district surgeon that he killed Desiree Baartman, 58, in the "spur of the moment" after being provoked.

He also admitted that he cleaned the crime scene.

The district surgeon's report was read into the record when Baartman appeared in the Gqeberha Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He allegedly killed Desiree at their home in Bethelsdorp earlier this month and then dumped her body down a 3.7-meter stormwater drain next to Standford Road near the Jagtersvlakte area.

Baartman faces a further charge of defeating the ends of justice for allegedly cleaning the crime scene to rid it of evidence.

According to the district surgeon's report, the fact that Baartman cleaned the house and hid the body meant that he knew what he was doing.

The report further stated that Baartman was emotional and that he was crying.

His attorney, Qhamani Sinefu emphasized that his client's admissions to the district surgeon was not a confession.

Baartman has been referred to the Fort England Hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

The court heard that it could take up to 30 days, or longer for a bed to become available.

State prosecutor Melani Hammett said the investigation would continue, despite Baartman's referral to Fort England.

He will appear in court again on 18 July.