Johannesburg – The man charged with the murder of Dustan Blom will provide blood and handwriting samples, the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg heard on Wednesday.

Jean-Pierre Malan would also not bring a bail application yet, his lawyer Shaun Hamilton said.
“(We) reserve the right to apply for bail at a later stage.”

Malan is the boyfriend of Maruschka Robinson, believed to be a former stripper, who was arrested on 24 September, after Blom’s decomposing body was found in the boot of his own car at Montecasino, Fourways.

Security guards noticed a bad smell coming from it. Malan was arrested on 26 September.

Robinson did not object to giving a handwriting sample, but the magistrate advised her to seek legal representation before consenting.

The court would not make the order for Robinson’s handwriting sample until she was represented.

Prosecutor Yusuf Baba said he believed a conflict of interest could arise which might make it difficult for Hamilton to represent both Malan and Robinson.

Hamilton said: “…I believe that piece of evidence, in any case, will be challenged.”

Robinson, wearing a black top and an ornate belt decorated with hearts, and Malan, his head shaved and wearing a beige jersey, sat calmly in the dock, looking ahead.

Robinson said she had not had her right to legal representation explained to her and the magistrate explained this to her.

Baba said: “For the record, her rights were explained to her on her first appearance.”

The matter was postponed until 9 October for further investigation. The pair would remain in Johannesburg Prison until their next court date.

– SAPA