Heated arguments preceded Kosmos double murder, witness testifies

16/05/2024News

Paul Prinsloo (62)

“I heard a shot and Ruzanne cried out “eina”. Then there was a second shot, and she was quiet…”

Nico Pienaar, a state witness who was present when Kosmos resident Paul Prinsloo (62) allegedly shot and killed his wife Magdaleen (58) and stepdaughter Ruzanne (31) on 27 November 2023, told the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Thursday that heated arguments between the three people preceded the shooting.

“I arrived at the Prinsloo house after 12:00 and Paul and I sat with Ruzanne’s six-year-old daughter at the pool where she was playing. Magdaleen came to us and they had a serious argument. She left and Paul told me there were three people he wanted to kill. He said “Ruzanne, my bitch of a wife and Elfie”. He told me Elfie was an ex-boyfriend of Magdaleen.”

Pienaar testified that he then told Prinsloo to take it easy and told him they should talk about it. “Paul stood up and said he was just going upstairs into the house and would be back. I stayed at the swimming pool to look after the child. I then heard Paul and Ruzanne arguing and a shot. Ruzanne cried “eina”. There was a second shot and she was silent.”

“Magdaleen came running past me towards the house, telling me Paul had shot Ruzanne and to call the police. I was shaking, and as I was dialling, I heard another shot. The child ran towards Magdaleen and then back to me. “Grandma is dead, take me to your house,” she said.”

Pienaar testified he grabbed the child, rushed to his car and shouted at Paul to open the gate, which he did.

Upon a question from the state prosecutor, he said he did not see the actual shootings, but heard the arguments. He told the court that aside from the family, he was the only person at the house during the murders.

The bail hearing will continue on 30 May.

Timeline:

27 Nov 2023

29 Nov 2023

6 Dec 2023

12 Dec 2023

Hartbeespoort Man Shoots Mother And Daughter
Husband In Court After Fatally Shooting Wife, Stepdaughter
Husband In Court For Double Murder
Kosmos Man Accused Of Double Murder Abandons Bail Application

21 Feb 2024

18 Mar 2024

15 Apr 2024

24 Apr 2024

Husband Accused Of Double Murder Appears In Court
Husband Accused Of Double Murder Appears In Court
Hartbeespoort Double Murder Accused In Court
Kosmos Murders – Court Case Again Postponed

6 Apr 2024

Next: 30 May 2024

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