This is the man cops believe beat and burnt his girlfriend’s one-year-old daughter to death.
This photograph of the 36-year-old man was taken just moments after he was arrested on Tuesday.
It is believed the suspected drug addict was arrested at his workplace but no further details are available.
He is expected to make his first appearance at the Bellville Magistrates’ Court today on a charge of murder.
It’s alleged that he beat little Asheeqah Scott to death and burnt her with cigarettes or a tik lolly on Saturday at his home in Kolossie Street, Roosendal, Delft, while he was babysitting her.
The child’s mother, Shakiera Scott, 27, left her with the suspect while she cleaned her house next door.
Relatives took Asheeqah to hospital hours later, after Shakira discovered she could not breathe and that her lips were burnt.
Asheeqah, who had burns to her legs and arms and bruises all over her body, was declared brain dead and passed away on Sunday in hospital.
BEATEN AND BURNT: Asheeqah Scott, 1
Police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana explains the original inquest docket has been changed to murder following the suspect’s arrest.
“ A case of murder is under investigation and the inquest was changed to a murder case,” she says.
“A 36-year-old man was arrested [on Tuesday] and he will appear in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court [today].
Asheeqah’s angry aunt, Janap Jacobs, 41, said yesterday: “I wish I could have gotten him before the police did, to do what he did to Asheeqah.
“We cannot stop people from taking the law into their own hands because if we had to get hold of him....” she adds, going silent.
Janap says her heart breaks every time she thinks how the tiny girl suffered.
Shakiera admitted to the Daily Voice that her berk was on drugs, and that she often left her child with him.
But she insists the suspect “showered the toddler with love” and never harmed her.