A Manenberg man accused of raping and killing his 10-year-old niece will go on trial at the Cape High Court this morning.
Carlo de Kock will face various charges, including kidnapping, rape, murder and defeating the ends of justice after the bludgeoned body of Chanelle McCrawl was found on the banks of a river.
On 19 October 2017, the 10-year-old girl was reported missing when she failed to arrive at school.
The next day her body was found wrapped in a curtain and shopping bag near the river.
De Kock and neighbour, Stanton Mano, were arrested.
During their bail hearings at Wynberg Magistrates’ Court, Mano denied harming Chanelle, but both applications were denied and they remained in Pollsmoor Prison.
VICTIM: Chanelle McCrawl was found by a river
The State later dropped the charges against Mano while DNA evidence allegedly linked De Kock to semen found on Chanelle’s school pants.
According to the indictment, De Kock allegedly raped Chanelle, strangled her and applied “blunt force” trauma to her head and neck.
It’s alleged he cleaned her blood from various items in his Wendy house in Audrey Court and disposed of her body.
In February a fire at the vacant property saw the Wendy house go up in flames.
The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.
Chanelle’s ouma, Gertrude Basson, says she is relieved the trial will finally start.
“I received a summons to be at court. I am very nervous to take the stand, but I am glad it’s finally happening,” the granny says.
“We still miss Chanelle and we just want justice for her. We want to hear what happened on that morning so we can have closure.”