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According to investigating officer Constable Alvin Fortuin, the deceased, Anees Dennis – who lived with people next door – had been cutting down a tree on the boundary of the two homes since earlier that week.
The neighbour, William Petersen, appeared in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court for a bail application on Tuesday. He was charged with murder, as well as the possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
Petersen phoned the police on Friday December 11 to report an attempted burglary, saying he had shot the alleged intruder, the court heard. He claimed the suspect had fled.
Fortuin said that when the people next door came out after hearing the shots, the accused told them about an attempted burglary and that the suspect was “not any of their family members”.
“When they looked down the street, they saw no people in the road,” Fortuin testified.
After reporting the incident to police, the gun used in the incident was confiscated and a statement was taken from Williams.
A short while later, photos and SMSes were sent to the police, stating that a body had been seen on Williams’ property.
“The deceased was found in a room in the yard. He was covered with a mattress and an apron,” Fortuin said.
According to the pathologist, three bullet wounds were found on the body – all fired from behind.
“One entered through the deceased’s upper leg, which means he wasn’t able to run off,” Fortuin argued.
“The pathologist said he was probably still alive after the shooting, and with medical attention he could still have survived.”
After Williams’ arrest that same day, 25 firearms comprising various makes and calibres of pistols, rifles and revolvers, as well as 700 rounds of ammunition were discovered on the property.
Only eight of the firearms were licensed in the suspect’s name, police said, and the man was also unable to account for the loss of two of his own firearms.
The bail hearing was continuing.
