[LISTEN] ‘Susan Rohde was the victim of a love triangle’
The Western Cape High Court has found the property magnate Jason Rohde guilty of murdering his wife, Susan.
“Was it suicide or homicide?” a question Judge Gayaat Salie-Hlope believes should be rhetorical as Rohde’s version of events of what happened on the fateful day in 2016 as highly improbable.
Rohde was found guilty of first-degree murder on Thursday.
Susan's naked body was discovered on the bathroom floor of the Spier Wine Estate hotel room near Stellenbosch after a gala event of her husband’s business.
He claimed that she hanged herself from the bathroom door but Salie-Hlope ruled that this is far from the truth.
“The deceased did not just leave her facial imprint in the pillow while being smothered by the accused. She also in fact, left behind a trial, a story that will speak for her in her absence.”
In an emotional judgement, Salie-Hlope found that Rohde had direct intent to kill his wife.
“He struggled with the narrative that he gave and there is a reason why he struggled: the version as he claims did simply not happen.”
Susan was the third-party in a love triangle and on this fateful day wanted clarity on why Jason had gone back on his promise to respect their relationship.
Salie-Hlope ruled that a fight broke out where Rohde smothered Susan to death.
“He’s testimony was also flawed with various inconsistencies and he came across economical with the truth.”
Rohde's bail has been withdrawn and he has been taken into custody.