The attorney for murder accused Abigail Ruiters grilled her client’s co-accused on Thursday, regarding his employment, while he was looking after her murdered son, Jeremiah Ruiters.
Ameerodien Peters also tried to blame the numerous marks and injuries on the body of the one-year-old on his older sister.
Peters, 28, who this week took the stand in the Western Cape High Court, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He and Abigail Ruiters, 31, are on trial for the rape and murder of Jeremiah at their home in Salamander Square, Kensington, in June 2017.
The cause of death was established as multiple blunt force trauma.
During cross-examination by Ruiters’ defence attorney, Jasmin Rajap, Peters was questioned on his alleged work activity.
Abigail Ruiters, 31.
“My client says during the time you lived together, you did not work. She says the two of you decided she’d work and you’ll look after the children,” Rajap stated.
But he was adamant that he was employed.
“I worked at the City of Cape Town and did landscaping. I also worked for Panorama Engineering and A&G Contracting.
“I never told her (about my jobs) because I just thought I would bring my part,” he said.
Peters said he once even took Jeremiah and his sister Zara with him to work, but found it difficult to travel with them, and work with two kids “on his back”.
He tried to blame 5-year-old Zara for bite marks and scarring in Jeremiah’s face.
“There was a time when I caught Zara biting Jeremiah,” he claimed.
“When Abby was busy with Jeremiah, Zara would come and knock her head against his.
“Zara would pinch and pull off his pants and Abby would skel Zara.”
KILLED: Jeremiah Ruiters
During Peters’ cross-examination, Ruiters rolled her eyes.
Rajap also questioned Peters about the name of the couple’s baby, Shameerah, that was written in blood on the cell floor where he slashed his own wrists after his arrest.
Peters previously claimed he didn’t write the name.
“Isn’t it strange that someone wrote the name [in blood] you gave your child a few weeks later?” Rajap asked, and Peters responded “no”.
“My client says she didn’t cause any of Jeremiah’s injuries, so the only other person who could do it was you?”
Peters said: “She was never home and the child was in my care.”
The trial continues.