Supreme Court calls for new inquest into cyclist's Cederberg death fall

THE Supreme Court of Appeal has ordered a new inquest - a public hearing with oral evidence - into the death of Theresa Wampach-Todd, who in 2016 fell to her death from a cliff in the Cederberg Mountains.

- ZELDA VENTER

Her husband Sean Todd was on the face of it implicated in his wife's death following a judgment by the Clanwilliam Magistrate's Court. The magistrate made this finding without hearing any oral evidence during the inquest. Todd took the decision of the magistrate on review to the Western Cape High Court.

He sought an order reviewing and setting aside the magistrate’s finding and having it substituted with a finding that it had not been established that the death of the deceased was brought about by any act or omission prima facie involving or amounting to an offence by any person.

The high court dismissed the application and refused leave to appeal. Todd subsequently turned to the SCA, which had now ruled that a new inquest must be held, heard by another magistrate.