Pinkie 'to see psychologists'
Danel Blaauw, Die Volksblad
Bloemfontein - An exhausted Pinkie Pelser - after two nights behind bars - burst into tears when photographers took pictures of her on Monday at Bloemfontein magistrate's court.
She was released on a warning.
The once sparkling beauty, who was accused of having an affair with Mike Pieterse, husband of world-famous runner Zola Budd-Pieterse, wasn't asked to plead.
Prosecutor Rina Tshite referred in court to Pieterse as Pelser's "boyfriend".
Well-known Bloemfontein businessman Pieterse was the plaintiff in the case against her, which included charges of housebreaking, theft, possession of an illegal firearm and firing a firearm in a built-up area.
Threatened to shoot herself
The charges arose from events last week and the past weekend when Pieterse's townhouse in Langenhovenpark was burgled.
Pieterse's firearm, R14 000 in cash, a digital camera, American dollars worth about R5 000 and an unopened cardboard box had been stolen, Tshite said.
A former contestant in the Mrs United Nations beauty competition, Pelser was arrested on Saturday night after an alleged suicide attempt of almost eight hours in the prestigious suburb of Waverley.
Pelser apparently threatened to kill herself with Pieterse's 9mm pistol in the house, which she rented from him.
She sat huddled in court on Monday without a trace of make-up, dressed in denim jeans, blue and grey Sketchers shoes, a black jacket and with a lime-green cap on her head.
Pelser covered her face throughout the proceedings and tried to evade the cameras.
One of her cousins, Johan Lombaard, also appeared with her in court to face charges of housebreaking and theft.
Pelser indicated she would apply for legal aid. She undertook to go for psychological treatment.
Magistrate Janet Leratholi released both of them on a warning.
Senior prosecutor Jacqui Moles said Pelser had been released on "humanitarian grounds" after an agreement with the State that she would go for psychological treatment at a private hospital in Bloemfontein.
Leratholi postponed the trial to 25 July for further investigation.
Rumours about a divorce between Pieterse and Zola after a marriage of 17 years made headlines in April this year. Zola, 39, told Die Burger earlier that Pelser was the "third party" in her marriage.
News source: www.news24.co.za
Posted by: www.SouthAfrica-CarHire.com
