DANIEL Jacobus Olivier, as well as his wife and three sons, reappeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on June 6 on accounts of assault and the murder of Ludi Vink.
The case was postponed again to October 22 – October 26 for trial. It was said in court that those dates are the only available dates for Olivier’s legal counsel. The prosecutor said that this would drag out the case, but agreed to the dates.
It was also decided that the CCTV footage, weapon (pool cue), photos, printouts and statements from witnesses will be used as evidence in court. In a previous article, it was mentioned that the court wanted to know why the CCTV footage should be used as evidence. The prosecutor said that it will be relevant and shows the events as they happened.
Outside the court, Olivier, dressed in denim trouser and tekkies, a black shirt with a tie and with his hair longer than usual, sat laughing with two of his sons while his wife looked more tensed. The three sons were dressed formally and the mother was dressed in black and white.
Just like before, both of Vink’s parents, his sisters and supporters were in court dressed in their B+ (positive) shirts in support of Vink.
The case is ready for trial, which will continue over five days and all documents are in order. The prosecutor mentioned that there are post mortem photos, but the State will only make use of the medical statements.
There are 12 witnesses for the State and the defence has six witnesses, which include the accused, his wife and three sons, and one other person. This brings the number of witnesses for trial to 18.
Vink was attacked on February 21, in 2017, after he tried to stop a fight between Olivier and the owner of Mitzy’s Pub. He was stabbed in his eye with a pool cue. Vink was taken to the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital and was then transferred to the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg, where he died.
*Keep reading the RECORD for updates on the court proceedings and also an exclusive interview with Danlee Vink.
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