The State says it has no idea how baby Orderick Lucas died.
The prosecutor in the murder case of the one-year-old tot from Eerste River said an autopsy had been performed, but no cause of death could be established.
This was heard in the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where the man accused of the boy’s murder, Melvin Volkwyn, 40, appeared for the continuation of his bail application.
Reading into record the State’s evidence, prosecutor Nathan Adriaanse said a cause of death could not be determined.
He said that Orderick’s body had been badly decomposed and the estimated time of death was anywhere from 1am on Sunday, 24 March, to 6pm on Monday, 25 March.
SCENE: Orderick found in drain with head and neck wounds
Little Orderick disappeared on 24 March, but was only reported missing four days later.
His mother, Davideen Lucas, 28, who is a self-confessed drug addict, said she had been beaten up on the Sunday for allegedly stealing a cellphone.
She planned to go to the hospital the next day for treatment and asked her friend, Volkwyn, to look after her child.
But when she came to collect the boy the next day, Volkwyn told her he had already given the child back.
Volkwyn allegedly also told Orderick’s father that the boy was safe with his ouma, Cornelia Scheepers.
Davideen said when she visited her mother days later, she discovered her child was missing and went to the police.
Four days later, Orderick’s naked body was found in a drain metres from Cornelia’s home in Witterbol Street.
Adriaanse also suggested that Volkwyn is a liar.
Volkwyn was previously arrested for shoplifting and possession of drugs.
He was acquitted for possession and received a suspended sentence for shoplifting.
On official documentation, Volkwyn had supplied an incorrect name and was only linked to the matter because he foolishly gave his real date of birth, and his fingerprints were already on file.
Adriaanse said witnesses would testify that Volkwyn had carried around a suspicious looking suitcase on 26 March and that he had told one witness that if anyone asked, Orderick had fallen.
‘KILLER’: Accused Melvin Volkwyn, 40
Davideen was in court, but rushed out in tears when proceedings ended.
Cornelia said Davideen had gone to the morgue to identify her son and said the little boy had visible injuries.
“He had a hole in his head at the back and marks on his neck,” the ouma said.
“Volkwyn must tell the truth. If it was an accidental, why did he not come to us, but he just dumped Ordie like that.”
Meanwhile, more than 100 people from the Community Women Action Organisation in Eerste River signed a petition for Volkwyn to remain in jail.
But Volkwyn’s Legal Aid lawyer, Crystal Paulse, told the court 515 people signed a petition for bail.
Asked what she thought about the support for Volkwyn, Cornelia said: “He is tricking a lot of people into believing his lies, but I believe God is in control. There will be justice for my grandson.”
The matter continues on Wednesday.