Almost 100 people protested outside Wynberg Magistrates’ Court yesterday, asking the magistrate to deny bail and keep an alleged child killer behind bars.
Andrew Plaatjies, 50, made a brief appearance in Court 4.
Plaatjies had allegedly confessed to killing Rene-Tracy Roman, 13, after the girl disappeared on March 10.
The young girl’s half-naked body was found wrapped in a mat in a Wendy house just metres from her home in St Agatha Street in Lavender Hill 11 days later.
It is alleged Plaatjies lured the child into the house, where he lived with his girlfriend, to help him with something.
He allegedly tried, but failed, to rape her, and then killed her with an axe.
Outside court, protesters chanted: “Your child is my child and my child is your child.”
The courtroom was packed with residents and neighbours supporting the girl’s family.
Dressed in blue jeans and a washed-out yellow 2010 Soccer World Cup jacket, Plaatjies looked nervous standing in the dock and tugging at his sleeves.
The matter was postponed to April 25 for a formal bail application, and Plaatjies will remain in custody.
As he walked down the stairs to the holding cells, his head stooped, angry people shouted at him: “ Jou vark! Jou gemors!”
Rene-Tracy’s biological father, Eugene Jacobs, shouted: “ Jy moet vrek, jy!”
PROTESTS: Angry residents gathered outside court as Andrew Plaatjies appeared at Wynberg Magistrates’ Court. CREDIT: Bertram Malgas
Outside court, Lavender Hill residents and members of the Philisa Abafazi Bethu organisation hoisted placards, calling for no bail and two life sentences without parole, and chanting the struggle song, Senzenina (what have we done).
Family spokesperson Stephen de Villiers says they want justice for his niece.
“We don’t want bail for him. If he gets bail we know what the community will do to him. We are tired!” he said.
“The government is allowing a lot to happen, like allowing him to even apply for bail.
“We want him to pay. We are so grateful for the huge turnout and support from the community.”
Lucinda Evans, chairperson of the Steenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) and founder of Philisa Abafazi Bethu, says they want a speedy trial.
“We don’t want to keep on coming back for the next two years. We want the justice system to have this case done and dusted within three months,” she says.
“Justice must be done. It's non-negotiable.”
Rene-Tracy’s parents, who looked shaken and traumatised, declined to comment.
The family and Lavender Hill community then got into taxis and left for Mitchells Plain to attend the funeral of Stacha Arendse, 11, who was found raped and killed last week.