Werner de Jager dies in hospital two years after the death of his wife ...

Civil rights group Action Society says it will continue seeking justice for murdered Amanzimtoti Reverend Liezel de Jager after her husband died in hospital this week.

Werner de Jager (45) who was facing charges of premeditated murder died two-and-a-half years after the death of his wife.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed his death.

ALSO READ | Updated: Werner de Jager dies in hospital

According to spokesperson Thulani Mdluli, De Jager died at King Edward Hospital after he was admitted there on April 5 due to medical complications.

On April 15, DCS was duly informed that the detainee passed away in hospital.

However, Ian Cameron, who was involved with Action Society when Liezel was murdered, said his death might have been due to a suicide attempt.

Werner de Jager, accused of and awaiting trial for the premeditated murder of his wife, Liezel de Jager, almost two-and-a-half years ago, has died of an alleged overdose in the correctional facility where he was held in Durban, KZN.

Cameron’s allegations were plausible as De Jager had attempted suicide 12 times in the past.

Liezel was murdered on October 13, 2021, in front of her home after a morning run; it is alleged that the perpetrator tried to make it appear as if the attack was of a sexual nature. She was strangled and her throat was slit.

The 38-year-old mother of two was a minister at the NG Kerk Suidkus in Amanzimtoti, south of Durban.

The case was stalled for almost two years, prompting the civil organisation Action Society to apply pressure, leading the National Cold Case Unit to take over the investigation. Shortly after, her husband was arrested. He was formally charged with her murder in November after his arrest in Bloemfontein.

Appearing in the Amanzimtoti Magistrates’ Court, the original Schedule 5 murder charge against him was escalated to a Schedule 6 murder charge on January 24, as new evidence suggested the murder was premeditated. Additionally, he faced fraud charges for trying to claim life insurance policies in Liezel’s name, even after the investigating officer told him he was not allowed to do so.

Further evidence suggested he lied about his activities at the time of Liezel’s murder.

During his bail hearing, the state alleged that De Jager was also implicated in the strangulation death of a woman in the United Kingdom while working there in 2010.

He was also involved in a car accident that killed two women in the Free State in April 2023, while allegedly driving drunk.

His bail application was denied on February 22, and he was due to appear in court again on May 10.

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When bail was denied, Action Society considered the judgment an important win for the family, but felt justice was far from complete as De Jager was yet to be prosecuted.

Our hearts go out to Liezel’s young daughters, who have now lost both parents, and we pray for strength for her parents, Henk and Salomé, who are their guardians since Liezel’s death.

“We will continue to seek justice for Liezel. We owe it to her daughters, family, and friends to see this case through and get the answers and justice Liezel deserves,” said Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez.