Former SANDF special forces soldier Fredrik le Roux will remain behind bars after the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court denied him bail on Thursday. Le Roux is accused of murdering his wife, Taryn le Roux, in a shocking shooting at Waxy’s restaurant in Westville on 15 September. He was arrested at the scene and has been in custody since.
The couple reportedly arrived at the Durban restaurant by taxi, ordered food and drinks, and appeared to engage in tense conversations before the fatal confrontation. Witnesses say Fredrik briefly exited the restaurant before returning and allegedly shooting Taryn at close range. She died at the scene.
Le Roux, once a trained operative who later worked as a defence contractor in conflict zones such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Somalia, initially claimed he could not afford private legal representation. The state later approved subsidised counsel, paving the way for his bail application.
That bid was short-lived.
“We Have a Stonewall Case Against Him”
State advocate Krishen Shah delivered a detailed affidavit from investigating officer Sgt Mathews Zulu, who told the court the state intends to pursue a charge of premeditated murder.
According to Zulu, the marriage was strained, and Taryn had secured a protection order against Fredrik in May 2019. Days before the fatal shooting, tension had reportedly escalated once again. Police had been called to intervene the night before the incident. Matters worsened the next morning, culminating in the restaurant visit where alcohol was consumed and arguments continued.
Zulu’s affidavit alleges that Fredrik told Taryn to “call the police again” before pulling out a firearm and shooting her in the face. He then allegedly fired another round into the bar area.
What followed was a series of deeply disturbing alleged admissions.
The Alleged Confession
Patrons reportedly heard Fredrik openly stating what he had done. Court papers quote him saying:
“I shot Taryn in the face. She doesn’t want to stop. She doesn’t want to listen to me. I am in Westville at Waxy’s bar… She intimidated me. Wa wa wa her mouth, I shot my wife in the face.”
Zulu says officers recovered Fredrik’s .45 semi-automatic pistol at the scene. The firearm licence had expired in July 2021. CCTV footage, eyewitness testimony and audio recordings are expected to form a significant part of the state’s evidence.
Although Fredrik did not attempt to flee the restaurant, the state argued that he poses a serious flight risk given his previous international employment and the fact that he did not voluntarily hand over his passport upon arrest. It was later surrendered by a representative who reportedly told investigators that Fredrik had instructed him to “wind up his estate,” implying he anticipated a lengthy absence.
A Troubling History
The court was told that allegations of violence were not new. Taryn had previously laid a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm but did not pursue it, reportedly because a protection order had already been granted.
Zulu’s affidavit also referenced two previous assault charges filed by a former wife, neither of which were ultimately pursued.
Additional concerns were raised regarding Fredrik’s alleged attempt to harm himself while in custody, and the state’s claim that he falsely portrayed himself as financially supporting Taryn’s son—something investigators say is untrue.
“No Exceptional Circumstances”
Magistrate Gwendolyn Robinson ruled that Le Roux presented neither exceptional circumstances nor sufficient reason to justify his release. She noted his lack of local assets, unstable employment, and the severity of the allegations against him.
The case has been postponed to 6 February next year, giving investigators more time to finalise the extensive evidence expected in what is shaping up to be a high-profile and deeply troubling trial.
