Man accused of shooting wife to death in popular Irish bar appears in court in South Africa
A man accused of shooting his wife to death in a popular Irish bar has appeared in court in South Africa.Nicolas le Roux made his first appearance at Durban High Court where he is charged with the murder of his wife Taryn at Waxy O’Connor’s Irish bar-restaurant outside Durban in September 2025 after an argument.He is also accused of the unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition as the licences for the firearms had allegedly expired.His case was moved to the Durban High Court after an indictment was served at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on March 6.In his previous appearance at the Magistrate’s Court, the court heard that Le Roux, previously a member of the South African National Defence Force, had worked abroad as a close protection officer.As a member of the Special Forces unit his work required him to travel overseas for extended periods before returning to his marital home.The accused reportedly owned three firearms: a revolver, a shotgun, and a Colt pistol, which he allegedly carried daily while in South Africa.Read moreSetback delays trial of ex-soldier accused of murdering his wife at Irish bar in South AfricaThe judge adjourned the case for Le Roux’s newly appointed Legal Aid lawyer to consult with the accused and read the documents from the State so he can get direction on the case.Taryn’s father, Vincent Barbarovich, said he is not happy with the way things have developed.“It is taking too long,” he told local media. “our legal system sucks. This is nonsense. We cannot be attending court cases at our age, justice needs to be served.Taryn’s foster son Daniel who has missed school to attend court told the Highway Mail, that he misses everything about his mother.Nicolas le Roux is charged with the premeditated murder of Taryn le Roux in a murder case that shocked the local community of Westville and made international headlines.There have been several delays, with the most recent affecting the serving of the indictment, which is the official notice of the state’s intention to prosecute. This was due to outstanding ballistics reports, with Senior State prosecutor Advocate Krishen Shah telling a previous court hearing that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had a “capacity issue” due to the ongoing Madlanga Commission.Shah said a significant number of its analysts were currently working at the major Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system.“Ballistics reports are outstanding,” Shah told the court. “However, the indictment has been drafted”.Le Roux has been in custody since he was arrested in connection with the death of his wife at the popular Irish bar-restaurant Waxy O’Connor’s in Westville on September 15.It is alleged that the couple had an argument before he pulled out a gun and shot her.The court heard how he had made a phone call shortly after the killing, saying: “I shot Taryn, I shot Taryn in the face, she doesn’t want to stop, she doesn’t want to f***ing listen to me.”Onlookers said the couple had arrived at the Durban restaurant in a taxi and ordered drinks and food.At some point, it is alleged, Le Roux walked out of the restaurant and then returned and allegedly shot Taryn who died at the scene.In an affidavit before the court — presented by state advocate Krishen Shah —investigating officer Sgt Mathews Zulu said Fredrik was charged with premeditated murder.He said the state would allege that Fredrik and Taryn were married but were “experiencing marital discord”.It has been reported in local media that she had obtained a protection order against him in May 2019.Before the incident, he had threatened her in a voice note saying “your life is at risk”.“On the night prior to the shooting there was a fracas between them and the police were called. They were counselled. They quarrelled again on the morning of September 15,” police say.“They eventually went to the restaurant where they imbibed alcohol.”They argued again and (he) allegedly told Taryn to “call the police again”. He then allegedly pulled out his firearm and shot her in the face at close range.He then, allegedly, fired another round into the bar.“The accused then reported to patrons that he shot his wife and then he made telephone calls where he nonchalantly told the person he ‘shot Taryn’.”Zulu, in his affidavit, said he had remained at the scene and had surrendered himself when security arrived almost immediately.“We have a formidable case, or a stonewall case against him,” Zulu said.He said there was CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and audio recordings of Fredrik admitting to what he had done.He said Le Roux who had, in recent years, mainly been working as a defence contractor in Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Somalia, was a flight risk.He had also not voluntarily handed over his passport when he was arrested.Read moreEx-soldier who admitted shooting wife in the face in Irish bar in South Africa due back in court“His passport was only handed to me on the morning of October 6 by his nominated representative who advised that he was tasked by the accused to attend to his affairs (power of attorney) and ‘wind up his estate given that he would be away for a very long time’,” Zulu claimed.Le Roux had portrayed himself as a community guardian in his bail affidavit, stating that he was a role model to his children.However, Taryn’s adopted son, Daniel Wilson, recalled in an affidavit how his stepfather spat in his mother’s face and issued death threats while hurling insults.In delivering her ruling, Magistrate Robinson said: “It’s wishful thinking that people don’t get through our borders without a passport.”
