Former Bay school teacher Reinhardt Leach has been found guilty on all charges against him in the Vicki Terblanche murder case.
Acting Judge Samson Dunywa said the state had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Leach was found guilty on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of possession of drugs and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as defeating the ends of Justice.
Vicki Terblanche was given an overdose of drugs before being suffocated and buried in a shallow grave.
During the trial in which the state called 16 witnesses, including Dylan Cullis who took part in the conspiracy, evidence was led on how Leach, Cullis and De Ridder Jnr conspired together to kill the deceased, rob her of her belongings and get rid of her body.
Leach's defence attorney, Advocate Jodine Coertzen, read a heartfelt letter from Leach into the record, which he said he had written with a heavy heart.
In a letter, Leach apologised to Vicki's son and her family for the unimaginable pain he had caused not only for her family but also his own. To Vicki's child, he said it was his role to protect someone precious to him, and he failed, and for that, he was deeply ashamed.
He also apologised to his parents, who he said raised him with love and to distinguish between right and wrong, and said he regretted the shame he had brought on their name. He said he accepted the consequences of his actions and had time to reflect during his time in prison, when he turned to God.
The matter was postponed to Thursday with sentencing expected by the end of the week.
After proceedings, Arnold Terblanche's legal team was asked to comment on Leach's verdict.
Alwyn Griebenow and Peter Daubermann both said that Leach should be sentenced to life behind bars, adding that he was a man who planned a murder over a few days, then drugged a woman and had sex with her, calling it barbaric.
Vicki's estranged husband Arnold is accused by the state of being the mastermind behind the murder and he will go on trial in October.
De Ridder Jnr is still a Section 204 witness and is expected to testify against Terblanche, while Leach also indicated his willingness to testify against the alleged mastermind.
(The final episode of the Algoa FM News Exclusive: Season 3 of Journey to Justice will be released on 21 March 2025.]
