The 18-year-old man accused of the brutal rape and murder of Janika Mello, 14, from Heinz Park will not be applying for bail, he indicated at the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The bail hearing of the second accused, a 16-year-old, went ahead and the outcome will be announced on Friday.
Family of the 16-year-old were at court and looked sad but accepting of whatever fate their child would suffer.
No family of the 18-year-old were present and because of the minor at court, it was a closed courtroom.
On 1 September, a day after Janika’s body was found, police first arrested the 18-year-old who then led them to the 16-year-old.
Janika, who was a Grade 6 pupil at Northwood Primary in Woodlands, went to a karaoke at Portlands High to support a local soccer club on Saturday, 31 August.
The teen was later dropped off by a taxi close to her home.
Her half-naked body was found in her backyard the following morning.
Used condoms were found around her and the left side of her face was smashed in with a concrete block.
Janika’s aunt, Elecia Martin, 32, said all they wanted was justice for the teen, who was laid to rest on Saturday.
“We are not OK as a family. We want these boys, and the ones not found yet, to pay for their crimes and we want no bail. They do not deserve a chance,” Elecia says.