Juan Maree Eksteen Denies Role in Emmanuel Mbense Murder As Bail Hearing Is Postponed

• Juan Maree Eksteen, a suspended South African Police Service flying squad officer, doesn't believe the State has a strong case
• Eksteen, the wife of Wiandre Pretorius, was added as the sixth accused in the 2022 Emmanuel Mbense murder case
• The six accused in the matter will remain behind bars after the matter was postponed for a few more days at the Brakpan Magistrate's Court

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG - Juan Maree Eksteen has maintained her innocence in the Emmanuel Mbense murder case.

The suspended South African Police Service flying squad officer has become the sixth accused in the high-profile case surrounding the April 2022 abduction, torture, and murder of Mbense. She made her first appearance at the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on Thursday 14 August 2026 and remains behind bars as the matter has been postponed.

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Eksteen appeared alongside co-accused Julius Mkhwanazi, the suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Deputy Chief, as well as Keisha-Leigh Stols, Cobus Van Rensburg, Adrian MacKenzie, and Bhekokwakhe Sibande.

The group faces charges linked to the abduction and killing of Mbense, who was allegedly tortured to death in Brakpan before his body was discarded in a dam.

Eksteen's defence challenges State evidence

Speaking on behalf of his client, Eksteen's lawyer issued an unequivocal denial of the charges and confirmed she would be entering a not guilty plea.

The defence described the state's case as weak, pointing specifically to the testimony of the late witness, Mr Marius van der Merwe, as the only material linking Eksteen to the alleged offences.

"I vehemently deny the allegations against me and intend to plead not guilty to the charges against me. I was furnished with a copy of the docket to prepare for my disciplinary hearing.

“I have perused the case docket and submit that the State's case is weak. The only evidence that implicates me in this case is the hearsay evidence of the late witness Mr van der Merwe. The latter evidence is of a contradictory nature and will be challenged at the trial," Eksteen’s affidavit read.

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The case has now been postponed until 18 August 2026 for the continuation of the bail hearing. Mkhwanazi, who has been arrested four times, and his co-accused will remain behind bars until then.

Source: Briefly News