‘I shot my wife’ – killer soldier denied bail after horror restaurant murder

Fredrik le Roux

Pretoria –  Former SANDF special forces soldier Fredrik le Roux has been denied bail after being accused of murdering his wife, Taryn, at Waxy’s restaurant in Westville in September.

Le Roux was arrested on the day of the incident.

Witnesses say the couple had been arguing throughout the day and again at the restaurant before he allegedly shot Taryn in the face at close range.

She died at the scene.

“I shot Taryn in the face. She doesn’t want to stop. She doesn’t want to fucking listen to me. I am in Westville at Waxy’s bar. You don’t want to believe me. No one wants to believe me. She fucking intimidated me…wa wa wa her mouth, I shot my wife in the face,” Times Live quoted Fredrik as saying in the affidavit.

In court, the state argued Le Roux faces a premeditated murder charge, supported by CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and audio recordings in which he reportedly admits to the killing.

Investigating officer Sergeant Mathews Zulu also revealed that Taryn had a protection order against Le Roux, and that he had previously threatened her, saying her life was at risk.

Zulu described Le Roux as both a flight risk — due to his international defence contracting work and the late handover of his passport— and a suicide risk, noting a self-harm attempt in custody. He also referenced past assault allegations by both Taryn and Le Roux’s previous wife.

Aording to IOL, le Roux was denied bail after Magistrate Wendalyn Robinson ruled that his violent military background, international connections, and chilling admissions made him too dangerous and too great a flight risk.

His lawyer argued that he could not flee without a passport and would comply with all bail conditions.

However, the State countered that Le Roux’s elite SANDF training, years spent working in conflict zones, and lack of assets tied to South Africa made him a high-risk candidate who could easily evade justice.

Prosecutor Krishen Shah also read a statement from Taryn’s adopted son describing years of alleged abuse and threats from Le Roux.

“It’s people like that who put people like me in jail and them in a mortuary,” Le Roux used to say to Taryn.

Robinson dismissed the defence’s arguments, saying it was “wishful thinking” that someone with his background could not cross borders without a passport. She ruled that Le Roux was not suitable for bail.

Taryn’s family reacted with relief in court.

Her father said he was glad bail was denied, adding that Le Roux had admitted to the killing and should be jailed for life.

The case will resume on February 6, 2026.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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