House of Horrors: The ‘Springs Monster’ found guilty of heinous crimes

The man accused of abusing his five children over the course of ten years, under the roof of what has been dubbed the House of Horrors, has been found guilty in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

The truly grotesque and twisted nature of the crimes shocked the South African public since allegations first surfaced four years ago. Disturbing details revealed during the lengthy court case led the accused to be known as The Springs Monster.

Because the victims of crimes committed in the House of Horrors are underage, personal information relating to the perpetrator, and his co-accused ex-wife, has been withheld.

While information relating to the Springs Monster himself is scarce, court testimonies reveal the depravity of crimes committed. Let’s take a look at what we know about the House of Horrors and its creator.

The House of Horrors

Police descended on the double-storey home located at Plantation Road, Springs, an area east of Johannesburg, following reports of abuse.

According to court testimony, delivered by child protection unit member, Warrant Officer Rudi Jansen; the dwelling earned its name as a House of Horrors.

Upon inspecting the premises, investigators noticed a foul smell which permeated every room. Jansen commented on the state of the home, describing it as beyond filthy, saying:

“It is difficult to describe, but it was filthy, with broken cupboards, a sticky floor and mice running around. There were also mouse droppings everywhere.”

Investigators witnessed large rats scurrying around the unkempt house, in and amongst rubbish, bedding and mattresses that were strewn across the floor.

11-year-old son manages to escape

The reason for the aforementioned onsite inspection relates to one child who managed to escape the house, after being severely beaten by his father in May 2014.

The son ran to the neighbour’s house, seeking shelter and assistance. The concerned neighbours promptly alerted the police.

According to court testimony, the young boy was beaten so badly that he couldn’t open his eyes. His father attempted to hide him in the ceiling, as to avoid detection during the inspection, but eventually revealed himself to police officers.

The Springs Monster

Little is known about the 36-year-old man responsible for inflicting the most heinous forms of abuse on his ex-wife and children. What is known is what he’s been found guilty of:

• The abuse and rape of his oldest daughter, who was 16-years-old at the time.
• The attempted murder of his 13-year-old son
• Obstruction of justice relating to the initial on-site search
• Five charges of child abuse
• Five counts of child neglect
• Two charges of breaking the Schools Act
• Showing pornographic material to his underage daughter
• Using and distributing crystal methamphetamine

According to his defence attorney, the man grew up under hard circumstances; never receiving former education, and suffering abuse at the hands of family members as a child. He worked part-time as a used-car salesman.

According to court testimony, published by IOL, the man’s ex-wife admitted that he was a habitual drug user and dealer. The man also injected himself with steroids and would engage in day-long pornographic binges with his spouse and daughter.

The ex-wife and children

The Springs Monster’s ex-wife’s testimony made up the bulk of evidence against him. After suffering years of terrific mental and physical abuse, his ex-wife claimed to be scared for her life, therefore complicit in the abuse of her children.

She admits to using drugs and failing to protect her children – as such, she has been found guilty of neglect.

To protect their privacy and identity, not much is known about the battered children, except that all five kids lived in the House of Horrors.

Upon initial investigations, the children were found terrified, dirty and malnourished sitting on the living room floor.