Paul Prinsloo

The bail application hearing of Paul Prinsloo (62), accused of murdering his wife and daughter in Kosmos in November last year, was once again postponed in the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Monday because the state prosecutor was on leave for personal reasons.

The bail hearing has been ongoing since November 2023 with multiple postponements amidst the growing frustration of family members and witnesses.

Prinsloo is accused of shooting and killing his wife Magdaleen Prinsloo (58) and his stepdaughter Ruzanne Weideman (31) with a hunting rifle in their Kosmos home on 27 November last year.

The cross-examination of Nico Pienaar, a friend of the family who was present during the alleged murders, was supposed to continue on Monday.

Family members of Magdaleen expressed their frustration about the continuing delays. “Our lives hang in the balance. My grandchild was recently born overseas and I cannot make plans to go see him until this is over,” her sister Carlien Kleyn told Kormorant. “We travel hundreds of kilometres every time and then have to turn around.”

Pienaar said he had to refuse work opportunities taking him out of the country because of the hearing. “I want to put this traumatic experience behind me. It is extremely stressful and has been ongoing for over six months now.”

The hearing was postponed to 11 July when Pienaar and Magdaleen’s sister Nici Hanly are expected to testify.