AlgoaFM News
A 32-year-old former primary school teacher from Gqeberha who is now standing trial for murder has had tongues wagging since the body of Vicki Terblanche was found in a shallow grave in Greenbushes in October this year.
Reinhard Leach has been in custody for over a month and is now facing seven charges including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, defeating the ends of Justice as well as possession of drugs.
Leach, who last taught at St Dominics Priory was also a teacher at Kabega Park and Charlo Primary School.
According to the State, however, Leach failed to mention the fact that he was asked to leave two of the schools because of his drug and alcohol habits.
Leach, who currently has no assets or physical address as he lived with Vicki, was described by the State as a psychopath who used Vicki as a cash cow.
He also moved into her home shortly after they started to date and later sold her vehicle and bought another one, leaving Vicki stranded with no transport.
Bail proceedings are currently underway in the Port Elizabeth Magistrates Court where Leach's co-accused and alleged mastermind, Arnold Terblanche is applying for bail.
According to the State Leach is part of a criminal enterprise where abalone divers are sourced, transported and abalone sold.
According to the affidavit from the lead investigator in the case Kanna Swanepoel, Leach was a drug addict and when he was arrested police found five packets of dagga in the driver's side door panel as well as one packet of tik.
It is the State's case that Arnold did not particularly like Leach but saw an opportunity to use him to get rid of his estranged wife.
Just six days before Vicki's murder the two men met at the Chelsea Sports Bar in Greenbushes where Arnold allegedly convinced Leach, for financial gain, to get the deceased to use drugs. Leach was also tasked to spy on Vicki and even supplied Arnold with legal documents to give him the upper hand in their bitter divorce proceedings.
State Prosecutor Advocate Marius Stander described Leach as an actual leech, who pretended to be in love with Vicki while he actually plotted to kill her.
Leach has provisionally withdrawn his bail application as he needs time to answer the State's affidavit.
Leach initially indicated that he could afford bail of R10 000 and if granted he would live with his father in Lorraine.
The State believes that both Leach and Arnold are flight risks.
The bail hearing continues.
