A nine-month-old baby who was viciously beaten to death has finally been laid to rest two weeks after his body was discovered in a shallow grave.
Mourners gathered outside the Vrygrond home of Caswell Frans on Tuesday as family and friends said their final farewells.
Cries were heard in Drury Road as mom Candice, 24, carried the tiny white coffin following a memorial at their home.
Oupa Caswell, 52, says the family had to wait for several tests to be completed before the body could be released.
“Due to the nature of the case, we had to wait for the tests to be completed before we could get the body,” he said.
“The service was held at Vrygrond Gospel Mission Church and we buried him at Klip Road Cemetery where he will now rest.
“We are grateful for all the support we have received from family, friends and congregants at the church at this time.”
Caswell’s body was discovered on 20 December after the sister of his foster mom, Priscilla Morris, went to Muizenberg police to report that he had been murdered.
Morris was arrested for murder on the same day and is set to return to the Muizenberg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after ditching her bail application last week.
She is accused of murdering the infant and then burying his body in a shallow grave on a nearby veldjie in a bid to conceal evidence.
The department of social development has launched an investigation after it was revealed that the biological family reported the abuse to social workers, who allegedly failed to take action.
Last week it was revealed that the Director of Public Prosecutions is set to make a decision on whether Morris’ relatives will join her in the dock or not.