Man to admit to killing wife

A REHOBOTH resident accused of killing his wife in late 2002 will plead guilty to a murder charge when his trial starts in two months’ time.

Murder suspect Prollius van Zyl’s intention to admit guilt was communicated to Acting Judge Kato van Niekerk when Van Zyl (32) made a pre-trial appearance before her yesterday. Lawyer Richard Metcalfe, whose colleague Mel Harmse is set to represent Van Zyl, informed the Acting Judge that it has been agreed with the State that Van Zyl will go on trial on April 8, and that he will plead guilty to the murder charge.At the same time, the State has undertaken to withdraw a charge of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, which stems from an allegation that Van Zyl threw away the knife with which he is accused of having murdered his wife at Rehoboth on November 23 2002.That was the date on which Van Zyl’s wife, Johanna Melinda van Zyl (37), died at Rehoboth’s St Mary’s Hospital as a result of multiple stab wounds.According to the indictment that Van Zyl faces he arrived at his home at Block B, Rehoboth, during the early hours of the morning on November 23 2002.His late wife was home.After his arrival an argument broke out between them.Mrs Van Zyl allegedly ran out of the house, followed by Van Zyl, who pursued her with a knife.Outside, Mrs Van Zyl is claimed to have screamed for help.Van Zyl stabbed her eight times with the knife and then ran away, before throwing the knife away in a nearby riverbed, it is claimed in the indictment.Van Zyl was arrested on the same day.He remains in custody.Lawyer Richard Metcalfe, whose colleague Mel Harmse is set to represent Van Zyl, informed the Acting Judge that it has been agreed with the State that Van Zyl will go on trial on April 8, and that he will plead guilty to the murder charge. At the same time, the State has undertaken to withdraw a charge of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, which stems from an allegation that Van Zyl threw away the knife with which he is accused of having murdered his wife at Rehoboth on November 23 2002. That was the date on which Van Zyl’s wife, Johanna Melinda van Zyl (37), died at Rehoboth’s St Mary’s Hospital as a result of multiple stab wounds. According to the indictment that Van Zyl faces he arrived at his home at Block B, Rehoboth, during the early hours of the morning on November 23 2002. His late wife was home. After his arrival an argument broke out between them. Mrs Van Zyl allegedly ran out of the house, followed by Van Zyl, who pursued her with a knife. Outside, Mrs Van Zyl is claimed to have screamed for help. Van Zyl stabbed her eight times with the knife and then ran away, before throwing the knife away in a nearby riverbed, it is claimed in the indictment. Van Zyl was arrested on the same day. He remains in custody.