Disbelief as woman appears in court for allegedly beheading her sister
A 63-year-old woman made her first appearance in the Bellville Magistrate's Court on Monday where she faces charges of murder.
Image: File
Shock and disbelief enveloped the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Monday as 63-year-old Aletta Rose appeared before the judge, facing serious charges of allegedly beheading her sister.
The 63-year-old made her much-anticipated first appearance following the tragic incident that occurred last week in Bellville South.
Rose was arrested on Thursday night after police discovered the decapitated body of her 79-year-old sister, affectionately known as Aunty Connie, inside her home.
According to police, a case docket of murder was registered following the discovery of the body at about 9am at a residence in David Street, Bellville South.
Shockingly, Rose had a previous conviction for the murder of another family member in 1996.
Rose appeared before the court, tall and slender in shape. She came out carrying a jacket and shoes with no laces.
When she was asked by the Magistrate if she wanted to apply for bail or remain in custody, she said she wanted to stay in custody as she had no job and no money for bail.
When the Magistrate asked her where she lives, she said that she does not have a fixed address as she lives on the street.
The matter was postponed to March 30 for legal aid. No family members were seen attending the court case.
Bellville police are investigating the death of a 79-year-old woman in Bellville South.
Image: Bellville South CPF
After the court proceedings, people outside the courtroom shared their disbelief regarding the case.
One woman could be heard saying: “Waar kry sy al daai krag, sy is so oud (where does she get her strength, she is old) . I have seen her around.
“She is homeless and usually sleeps by the police station. She is the sister of the deceased. She is old, but her sister, whom she murdered, was also old.
“The world is coming to an end. We do not know what happened or what made her snap to do what she did.”
Another woman said: “I could not wait till she appeared because I wanted to see her face to see if maybe I knew her. It is shocking what she did, especially to her own sister."
Aletta appeared on a Pink Ladies missing poster when she was reported missing in 2021 at the age of 58.
According to the poster, during the time she was reported missing, she was last seen on foot in Simonstown in the early afternoon hours of March 21, 2021. An update was later posted that she had been found ‘alive, unharmed and safe’.
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