A former Absa executive accused of murdering his wife in 2021 was granted R5 000 bail in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Founder of Absa iDirect out on bail for allegedly killing his wife
Jacques Pretorius, 54, the founding managing director of Absa iDirect, appeared before the court on charges of premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice.
His arrest followed an inquest that overturned initial findings that his wife, Sheri-Ann Pretorius, had died by suicide.
In an affidavit submitted to the court, Pretorius pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Pretorius was arrested at his Somerset West home on Monday. In court, the State revealed that new evidence emerged during an inquest into Sheri-Ann’s death, leading to the murder charge.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie, an inquest docket was originally opened, but further investigations led authorities to conclude that Sheri-Ann was strangled and that the scene was tampered with to appear as a suicide.
The State’s trump card in the case is the forensic evidence, which allegedly contradicts the initial suicide ruling.
Investigators reportedly retraced the final hours of Sheri-Ann’s life, piecing together a timeline that raised significant doubts about Pretorius’ version of events.
Despite these revelations, the magistrate granted R5 000 bail, setting conditions that Pretorius surrender his passport and report to the police weekly.
Who is Jacques Pretorius?
Pretorius is a seasoned executive in the South African insurance industry, having held several high-profile positions over the past three decades.
He served as the founding Managing Director of Absa iDirect, which was established in 2008 as part of the Barclays Africa Group.
Under his leadership, the company grew into a key player in the direct short-term insurance market.
His career includes:
- Absa iDirect (Barclays Africa Group Limited)
- Managing Director: 2010 – 2018
- Executive General Manager: 2007 – 2010
- Telesure Group Services
- General Manager: 1994 – 2003
Academically, Pretorius studied law at the University of Pretoria and later attended the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, where he focused on global strategy, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
As the case develops, the focus will be on the State’s evidence and whether Pretorius’ alleged efforts to stage a suicide can be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The trial date is yet to be set, and further forensic findings are expected to play a pivotal role.
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