SA Murder Suspect Fights Extradition to Ireland, Fearing for His Life

Neville van der Westhuizen, a 41-year-old South African currently serving a 15-year sentence in Westville Correctional Facility, stands accused in Ireland for the 2014 double-murder of two Irish nationals. According to an extradition request from Ireland to South Africa delivered last year by Interpol, van der Westhuizen and his lover, Ruth Lawrence, are alleged perpetrators of this heinous crime. Lawrence, an Irish national, was arrested in Bloemfontein in October 2022 and has already been deported to Ireland.

Recently, in the latest development at the Durban Regional Court, van der Westhuizen's defence attorney, Ntando Cele, pleaded for a six-week adjournment to consult with his client and research two recently discovered affidavits. The State, however, opposed the request citing needless delays. The magistrate, referencing numerous previous postponements, ordered the case to proceed.

The defence then outlined their opposition to the extradition request, arguing that van der Westhuizen already serves a sentence in South Africa and that the suspect fears for his own life if transferred to Ireland. These claims were swiftly dismissed by State prosecutor, Naveen Sewpersad, who argued that SA law allows for such extraditions and denounced the threats as 'vague'. The trial continues.