Juanita Pieters says she might not be getting her promised house from President Jacob Zuma because she is still married to a man from Tulbagh, and he is not the father of her murdered daughter, Courtney Pieters.
Three-year-old Courtney disappeared from her home in Pluto Street, Salberau Estate, on 4 May and was found nine days later, buried in a shallow grave on a field in Bofors Circle, Epping Industria.
The killer had broken all the bones in her little body, and carried her in a plastic bag to her grave.
Police arrested the family’s boarder, Mortimer Saunders, 40, who allegedly confessed to kidnapping, raping and murdering the meisie.
He appears in the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court again on 24 August where outstanding forensic reports will be handed in.
President Zuma visited the family at home, giving them R10 000 cash, and offered a house to Juanita.
But the mom tells the Daily Voice the Jacob Zuma Foundation is now holding off on the house because she is still married to a man from Tulbagh.
Juanita admits she and Courtney’s dad, Aaron Fourie, were never married.
Saunders is Aaron’s childhood friend.
The Foundation, she says, has denied them the promised house, because her marriage could jeopardise ownership of the new home.
“The President’s people have said we can have a house, but feel because I am still married to my husband, he will try and claim ownership of it.
“So I went to 90 Plein Street to begin the divorce proceedings,” says an unhappy Juanita.
Aaron is also kwaad over news reports claiming the house was only meant for Juanita and their children.
“People are treating us badly now and saying because we are not married, we are not a family.
“We are a family in mourning. Our child was killed,” the father says.
“Ek is moeg vir al die stories, people must leave us alone.”
Meanwhile, Juanita says she has laid charges against two people who accused her of playing a part in Courtney’s death.
“I finally went to lay a charge against two of my neighbours who continue to say things like I was involved with this man who killed my child,” says Juanita.
“The police came and picked them up, they were questioned and released.”
Police did not reply to queries to confirm these claims.
Juanita adds: “We are too ashamed to show our faces because of the lies that people are spreading. We never asked for this attention. I also want to know what happened to my child.”
A spokesperson for the Jacob Zuma Foundation, who would only identify herself as Zee, has promised since last Tuesday to provide comment, but nothing was received by last night.