House of Horror trial hears of alleged handcuffing

He recalled one incident in which he was asked by a former security guard on the property if he could help untie the boy. He found the then 11-year-old  boy cuffed to a kitchen cupboard after which he he picked the lock with his cuff key. He works for a private security company.

Advocate Aneke van Wyke, representing the father in case, argued the boy often cuffed himself and was also more than capable of picking the lock to free himself. But advocate Louiza van der Walt, for the mother, said her client informed her it was in fact the father who tied the boy to the cupboard, allegedly for being unruly. Marina Genis, a clinical psychologist, earlier this week also testified that the estranged mother told her during consultation the boy is extremely naughty. She subsequently blamed him for the family's situation.

The parents were away on a weekend holiday in Durban when the boy was cuffed. He was allegedly tied up shortly before they left. Van der Walt says the mother later phoned the security guard on the premises (he has since passed away) and asked him to find a way to free the boy. It was then when he approached the witness to ask for help.

The witness further told the court he once saw the father, who can't be named to protect the identities of his five children, strike the then 11-year-old boy with a fist in the face. He also testified that he observed bruises on the mother's body and face. Her defence claims she is also a victim in the matter. 

When asked whether he ever saw if the other children had bruises, the witness told the court they rarely left the house.

The couple face a combined 22 charges including rape and attempted murder.

Van Wyk today also informed the court that the father has decided not to testify. The matter has been postponed to Monday.