By Candice Bezuidenhout.
“I know that no words can ever bring back your mother or ease your pain. I failed to protect someone who was precious to you, and for that, I am deeply ashamed. I pray that God grants you strength and comfort.”
These are the words of convicted killer Reinhardt Leach in a letter to his murdered girlfriend’s teenage son shortly after he was found guilty of killing Vicki Terblanche.
During a lengthy judgment in the Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha on Wednesday, Judge Samson Dunywa found Leach guilty on counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Leach had already pleaded guilty to a remaining charge of conspiracy to commit murder, one of obstruction of justice and two counts of possession of drugs.
Handing down judgment, Dunywa said while Vicki was drugged and suffocated with a pillow, and there was a dispute between the State and defence of who took the pillow and placed it over Vicki’s face; it had become irrelevant since the cause of death was not suffocation.
Dunywa was referring to the back-and-forth between Leach and accused-turned-State witness Dylan Cullis, who shifted the blame between them on who did the suffocating.
However, a pathologist testified Vicki died due to multi-drug intoxication and because of the advanced stage of the body’s decomposition, no evidence of suffocation could be found.
“This evidence exonerates whoever suffocated the deceased. Even if she was suffocated, she was going to die of the intoxication of drugs,” Dunywa said.
“It is therefore not important for the court to make a finding on which witness is credible between the accused and Cullis.”
He added all the perpetrators involved had one common goal, and that was to kill Vicki.
“The participants had a common purpose and acted together in order to achieve that purpose. There is overwhelming evidence from the State and defence that the participants, with the actual perpetrator, had a common purpose to remove the deceased,” Dunywa said.
After his conviction, Leach’s lawyer, Jodine Coertzen, read his letter, addressed to his Vicki’s family, his family and in particularly Vicki’s son, into the record.
In the letter, Leach apologised for killing Vicki, saying he had a lot of time to reflect on his actions while in prison and felt remorseful.
“I’m deeply sorry for the tragic loss of Vicki and the suffering her family, especially [her minor son], have endured. I understand my remorse won’t bring Vicki back or take away the heartbreak. I take full responsibility for my part in her murder and will live with the consequences of my actions for the rest of my life,” he said.
His letter also stated during his incarceration, he had turned to God, seeking His guidance, mercy, and forgiveness.
To his family, Leach said he knew he had let them down in the most unimaginable way.
“Mom and Dad, you raised me with love and taught me right from wrong and yet my actions have brought you so much pain. I can only hope that, in time, you find it in your hearts to forgive me. I regret the despair I have brought upon the family and the suffering my family must endure because of me,” the letter added.
“I am not writing this letter to excuse myself but accept the consequences of my actions. I hope to continue my journey of rehabilitation to ensure that such an incident never ever happens again.”
The case was postponed until Thursday for the defence to address the court on sentencing.
Leach’s conviction comes a little over three years after his arrest in 2021, along with Vicki’s estranged husband, Arnold Terblanche, after her disappearance.
Her body was eventually found in a shallow grave on the outskirts of Gqeberha.
The State alleged Terblanche conspired with Leach to kill Vicki.
While the two initially appeared together, their trials were separated, meaning Leach’s case continued while Terblanche will be tried in October this year by a different judge.
Terblanche faces the same charges as Leach initially did, excluding those relating to the possession of drugs, a firearm, and ammunition.
Additionally, he faces a charge of conspiracy to defeat the ends of justice.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Terblanche was released on R1 million bail in February 2023.
Cullis entered into a plea deal two years ago and confessed to participation in the murder. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison in March 2023.