Werner de Jager?

• Suspected wife killer Werner de Jager died on Monday, allegedly from a drug overdose.
• De Jager allegedly beat his pastor wife Liezel to death in October 2021 and pretended she was raped.
• The Department of Correctional Services said he died following “medical complications”.

Alleged wife killer Werner de Jager has died in hospital while in correctional services custody, allegedly from an overdose.

OHANNESBURG – The husband of slain Durban pastor, Liezel de Jager, has apparently died in custody.

Werner de Jager was to stand trial for the murder, and was due back in the Amanzimtoti Magistrate’s Court next month.

Liezel’s body was discovered in her Amanzimtoti home three years ago.

She was found with cuts and strangulation marks on her neck after a morning jog.

The Cold Case unit took over the matter, and arrested Werner in Bloemfontein in November last year.

The 45-year-old allegedly beat and cut the throat of his wife, Liezel, 38, at their Amanzimtoti home in October 2021.

Liezel worked as a popular pastor for the NG Kerk Suidkus at the time of her death.

De Jager was recently denied bail by the Amanzimtoti Branch Court and was expected to return to court on 10 May.

Department of Correctional Services (DCS) spokesperson Thulani Mdluli confirmed De Jager’s death.

“The Department of Correctional Services can confirm the death of detainee Werner de Jager, who was admitted to King Edward Hospital on 5 April 2024 following medical complications.”

“On 15 April 2024, DCS was duly informed that the detainee passed away at hospital.”

Sources close to the investigation alleged he died of a drug overdose.

Case against De Jager

According to the State, Liezel and De Jager’s two children were at home when she was killed.

It was alleged the couple’s relationship had deteriorated to the point where they were sleeping in separate bedrooms.

De Jager had insured Liezel for R3.29 million two months prior to allegedly killing her.

After allegedly slitting her throat, he interfered with the crime scene to make it look like Liezel was raped, Maria Roodt, the investigating officer, said in an affidavit.

“He further staged the scene and tampered with the deceased’s body in a manner so as to suggest [that] his wife was a victim of a sexual assault.

“In so doing, he had the intent to humiliate her post-mortem, degrade her and mislead the investigation,” she added.

De Jager denied the allegations and claimed an unknown intruder had killed Liezel.

During his bail bid, however, magistrate Zamanyuswa Nyuswa said the State presented overwhelming evidence and it had a strong case against De Jager.

It is understood the National Prosecuting Authority was also looking to charge De Jager with two counts of murder after he was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run incident in the Free State in April last year.