In new evidence that even surprised his lawyer, child murder accused Ameerodien Peters on Monday tried to pin Jeremiah Ruiters’ injuries on a “close friend”.
Peters told the Western Cape High Court that he left Jeremiah and his three-year old sister, Zara, with his friend Shakeel “Shakes” Reven for several hours at a time.
“He looked after them when I had things to do. If I came there, at times Jeremiah would be washed and cleaned.
“I only told Abigail about leaving Jeremiah by Shakeel once we were incarcerated,” Peters claimed.
He then told State Prosecutor Maria Marshall that Shakeel lived at an informal settlement called Rottekamp in Maitland, but has since moved and he doesn’t know where to find him.
Peters, 28, and Jeremiah’s mother Abigail Ruiters, 31, are on trial for the one-year-old’s rape and murder at their home in Salamander Square, Kensington, in June 2017.
CO-ACCUSED: Abigail, 31
Ruiters is charged with murder and child neglect under the Children’s Act.
The couple is facing two more charges of child abuse relating to Ruiters’ two surviving children.
Peters claimed he kept their Wendy house clean, and was responsible for Ruiters’ children, especially Jeremiah whom he fed, bathed and cared for daily, even as he held down his “landscaping job”, which Ruiters was not aware of.
Marshall showed him Jeremiah’s post-mortem photographs to demonstrate how dirty the little boy was when he died.
KILLED: Jeremiah Ruiters
“His neck is clearly dirty. Look, his skin is dirty, under his nails. Look at the inside of his ears,” she said.
An angry Peters responded: “He was well taken care of when I looked after him.”
Marshall also exhibited crime scene photos, showing their filthy Wendy house with clothes strewn everywhere, and dirty dishes lying around.
“The place is filthy and messy, won’t you say?” Marshall asked.
MORSIG: Vuil huis shown at trial
Peters answered: “Yes, it looks like someone went through the cupboards looking for things.”
Peters said he met Ruiters in a pub in Maitland in October 2016.
He moved in a month later and asked her to marry him in February 2017 because she “understood” him.
Marshall also questioned Peters on the testimony of Ruiters’ eldest daughter, Kiana, who was eight at the time.
“When Kiana testified, she said you were nice to her in comparison with how you treated Zara and Jeremiah.
“Kiana testified she had to stay home from school to clean the house because you were too lazy. She had to clean and feed Jeremiah and you slept all day,” Marshall stated.
Peters replied: “No, it’s not the truth. It’s rare that I slept during the day.”
Marshall asked why he did not help Ruiters pay her children’s daycare fees if, like he claims, he earned R2300 a fortnight.
TOUGH: State's Maria Marshall
The daycare owner previously testified that Ruiters took the kids out of her care because she couldn’t afford it anymore.
According to Peters, he did pay the fees sometimes, but when Marshall asked why he did not dispute earlier, he replied: “I don’t speak about what I give to others.”
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