Two men accused in the murder of Gqeberha mother, Vicki Terblanche, will face separate trials after a ruling by Acting Judge Samson Dunywa in the Eastern Cape High Court on Tuesday. Terblanche’s estranged husband, Arnold Terblanche, and her boyfriend, Reinhardt Leach, are both implicated in her death, which occurred in 2021. The court’s decision to separate their trials comes after Leach’s plea implicated Arnold, leading to concerns over potential conflicts of interest.
Terblanche, 42, was found dead in a shallow grave in Greenbushes after being reported missing by her boyfriend, Reinhardt Leach. Investigations into her murder revealed a chilling plot to kill her, allegedly orchestrated by Leach in collaboration with Arnold Terblanche. The murder was reportedly carried out after Terblanche was drugged and suffocated.
A third suspect, Dylan Cullis, was also arrested in connection with the crime. Cullis pleaded guilty to his role and agreed to turn state witness in exchange for a reduced sentence. He is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence for his involvement. The testimony from Cullis is expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing trials of Arnold and Leach.
On Tuesday, Leach appeared in court where he pleaded guilty to all eight charges against him, including kidnapping, assault, and the unlawful possession of firearms. However, his plea on two of the charges—murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances—was rejected by the court. Leach’s defense argued that other individuals were involved in the planning and execution of Terblanche’s murder, a claim that implicated Arnold Terblanche. This prompted Arnold’s defense lawyer, Peter Daubermann, to request that the trials be separated, citing evidence that could disprove Leach’s allegations against his client.
According to Leach, the murder plot was hatched after he confided in Arnold, revealing that Vicki Terblanche had planned to have him killed to secure a larger financial benefit. Leach’s statement suggests a deep rift and motive between the accused parties, raising the complexity of the case.
As the legal proceedings continue, the focus will shift to the upcoming trials, with both Arnold and Leach set to face serious charges related to the death of Vicki Terblanche. The matter continues in court on Wednesday, and further developments are expected as the investigation progresses.
