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January 31, 2025

Vicki Terblanche’s Estranged Husband And Boyfriend To Be Tried Separately For Her Murder

In 2021, it was reported that the 42-year-old mother's body was found dumped in a shallow grave in Greenbushes three days before her birthday.

[Image: Facebook/Vicki Lubbe]

The murder trial of Vicki Terblanche continued in the High Court in Gqeberha on Tuesday morning.

Vicki’s estranged husband, Arnold Terblanche, and her boyfriend at the time, Reinhardt Leach, are accused of plotting her death – although not for any supposed love triangle, but for money.

In 2021, it was reported that the 42-year-old mother’s body was found dumped in a shallow grave in Greenbushes three days before her birthday. Vicki had been reported missing by her boyfriend, Leach, who is a former school teacher.

Shortly after the gruesome find, Leach was arrested and has been in custody since October 2021. Then Vicki’s estranged husband, Arnold, was also arrested.

Leach has pleaded guilty to the charges against him, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of drugs. Arnold has maintained his innocence since his arrest and was granted bail of R1 million in 2023.

A third suspect, Dylan Cullis was also arrested in connection to the murder. Cullis pleaded guilty to his role in Vicki’s murder and turned state witness. He is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence.

Leach and Vicki | Image: Newsflash

It was revealed in court this week how Leach and Vicki initially planned to kill Arnold, per IOL.

According to reports, Vicki spoke to Leach about her plan to kill Arnold. He claimed she believed she would gain more financially from an inheritance, rather than the couple’s split.

The couple’s relationship soured, according to Leach, thanks to her alleged drug addiction.

For some strange reason, though, Leach and Arnold met in person, which is when Leach told him about Vicki’s plan. Leach said that Arnold then suggested turning the plan on the mother of his child instead.

In court, Leach stated that the plan was to drug Terblanche. He detailed how he spiked her drink, had sex with her, but also ended up dosing off because he had taken a sip of the drink he’d concocted for Terblanche.

Leach claimed that he did not suffocate Vicki, but Cullis did so with a pillow. The two men then stuffed her body into a BMW and looked around for a place to dump her.

Apparently, the two men went go-karting before they eventually disposed of her body.

Leach and Vicki | Image: Facebook

Judge Makaula, in his judgment passed down last year, rehashed the arguments of both the State and the applicant before finally concluding. He said according to the state’s evidence, greed led to the plan to kill Leach’s co-accused Arnold and when this could not pan out, Leach quickly switched his allegiance to Arnold, per Algoa FM.

Makaula said it would appear Leach changed at will with a disposition to violence. Evidence further suggests that plans were made to get drugs and then dispose of Vicki’s body, showing that Leach was capable of concealing the truth.

He said there was undisputed evidence that Leach lied when he reported Vicki as missing, claiming that he had looked for her at every drug post in the city.

“Knowing all the drug posts shows he knew these areas,” said Makaula.

Leach’s plea also implicated Arnold which led to Arnold’s defence asking for the trial to be separated. Arnold’s lawyer, Peter Daubermann, said there was evidence that could disprove Leach’s allegations, per IOL. The matter will continue in court.

In 2022, The Herald reported that an envelope of tik allegedly found on Leach at court likely strengthened the state’s case — that he was willing to do anything for drugs.

[Sources: IOL & IOL & News24]