Sonell Joubert, the 45-year-old woman accused of murdering Jurgen Nel at Lowhills Farm in Kamhlushwa, will find out on Thursday whether she will be granted bail.
Sonell Joubert bail outcome expected on Thursday
Joubert, who runs Tswale Educational Elephant Interactions, was arrested earlier this month after Nel’s body was discovered with multiple stab wounds on the farm.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed that Nel was killed on Monday last week and that investigations indicate there may have been a struggle before the fatal stabbing.
However, the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
The State is opposing bail, citing concerns about Joubert’s ties to the crime scene and possible interference with the investigation.
New details surface in Lowhills farm murder
While police continue their investigation, new information has emerged regarding the complex relationship between Joubert and Nel.
Reports indicate that Joubert had recently filed a protection order against Nel, accusing him of assault and harassment. Shortly before his death, Nel had also expressed fear for his safety due to an ongoing legal battle over the ownership of Lowhills Farm.
A voice note allegedly sent by Nel to a friend named George a week before his murder adds a new layer to the investigation.
In the recording, first obtained by Lovwelder, Nel reportedly asked George to fetch groceries for him and deliver them to security at Lowhills Farm. He expressed concern about leaving the property, referencing tensions with Joubert and her life partner, Johan Möller, who were fighting to remain on the farm despite a court order instructing them to leave.
Authorities are now looking into whether this dispute played a role in the murder. However, police have not officially confirmed a direct link between the land dispute and Nel’s death.
Adding to the legal turmoil, Möller was also arrested during the court proceedings, although his charges are unrelated to the murder case.
His arrest stems from a separate court battle with Shofeeds, the company that owns Lowhills Farm. Möller is currently in custody on a contempt of court charge, with a hearing set for Friday, 14 February 2025.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain tight-lipped about potential additional suspects or any further arrests.
