The heartbroken ouma of Chanelle McCrawl says they are frustrated with the justice system as they now have to wait for FIVE more months before her uncle goes on trial for her murder.
Uncle Carlo de Kock made his second appearance at the Western Cape High Court on Friday where he was informed the trial will commence on 4 March 2019 and is expected to run until 25 March.
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 and charged for her rape and murder.
During their bail hearings at Wynberg Magistrate's Court, Mano denied harming Chanelle but both applications were denied and they remained in Pollsmoor Prison.
MEMORY: Gertrude Basson and others at grave
It was also revealed that DNA tests conducted on semen found on the girl’s pants matched De Kock but not Mano, and the State later dropped the charges against Mano.
According to the indictment, De Kock has been charged with kidnapping, rape, murder and defeating the ends of justice.
Chanelle’s heartbroken ouma, Gertrude Basson, says she is frustrated with the continuous postponements as she needed closure.
“It is almost a year since she was killed and now to hear we must wait until next year for the trial to start is frustrating.
“When you come to court there is nobody from the community; it’s only the [Daily] Voice that comes. Her mother doesn’t even come. Everyone cried for Chanelle, but now nobody remembers her,” the granny says.
After court Basson and Chanelle’s aunt visited her grave at Maitland Cemetery.