Police: rape not axe-murder motivation
South African police have said there is no evidence that a former rugby player arrested over the axe murder of three men killed his victims to avenge the alleged gang-rape of his daughter.
Media reported yesterday that a former Blue Bulls player was arrested for allegedly decapitating one victim and hacking two others to death to avenge the gang-rape and HIV infection of his daughter.
A fourth victim, who is believed the have escaped the axe attack, told local reporters that he had been confronted by a man who accused him of raping and infection his daughter.
But the police spokesman instead believes that the attack was motivated by an 'evil nature' and not the reported rape of his daughter.
It has since been reported the former rugby player does not have a daughter.
The accused has been named as 34-year-old Joseph Ntshongwana.
His lawyer told a magistrates court he would apply for his client to undergo psychological observation under a section of law that determines whether a person is fit to stand trial.
The case has now been postponed until April 7 for a bail hearing to be set and for the accused to undergo a medical observation.
