Eleven-year-old Stacha Arendse solved her own murder by biting and scratching her attacker, leaving a trail of DNA evidence for investigators to find.
This DNA led to the Western Cape High Court convicting her neighbour Randy Tango of her rape and murder.
And on Monday, the convicted child killer was sentenced to three life terms in jail by Judge Robert Henney, who called Tango a “sexual predator” who lured his young victim into his “lion’s den”.
The usually cocky Tango, 32, looked defeated as people in the court, including Stacha’s parents, neighbours and supporters, spontaneously started applauding and bursting into song at Henney’s ruling.
Stacha Arends
In sentencing Tango, Judge Henney called Stacha a brave little girl who had fought off her attacker, leaving more than enough blood and semen samples on her body for DNA evidence to link Tango to the crime.
Tango stood with his head bowed, wringing his hands nervously as Henney sentenced him shortly after 10am yesterday, following a week-long trial.
The accused did not take the witness stand himself, following a plea explanation in which he admitted to raping and then killing Stacha because he “did not want to go to jail”.
He also wrote a letter to her parents, claiming he was sorry for killing their daughter and begging for their forgiveness.
Silence filled the packed courtroom when Henney described Tango as a sexual predator when he lured Stacha into his home on 27 March in Matroosberg Street, Tafelsig.
“I doubt he acted on the spur of the moment,” the judge said.
“He acted like he was a predator and sent the little boy to call Stacha with the intent of sexually assaulting her, he was alone at home. She was literally lured to the lion’s den.”
He called Tango “barbaric” and said despite her weighing only 39kg, Stacha was a brave child who fought back and made sure Tango could be linked to her murder with DNA evidence.
“His conduct is that of a coward, Stacha was a brave girl who said she will do anything when she realised what was happening, she stood up to him and said she is going to tell her mother,” said Henney.
“She is the reason for the solving of the crime because of the strong DNA evidence found on her. The accused had no choice but to plead guilty.
“It is disturbing that he attempted to conceal his crime when he wrapped her body (in a sheet), this is barbaric and shows no regard for human life.
Photo: Genevieve Serra
“The accused did not only murder her, but the soul and being of her parents as well.”
At this, the public gallery began to rejoice and applaud.
The judge called for order, adding that Tango’s name would be marked in the national sexual offences register.
Henney did not indicate whether the three life sentences, for two charges of rape and one of murder, would run concurrently.
As Tango was led away to cells, people sang: “Stamp daai boude lam” and “Wie het vir Tango gesê om in Matroosberg se boude te le”.
Outside court, Stacha’s mother Sandy Markgraff was overcome with emotion and hugged everyone, shouting: “Thank you, thank you! Thank you to everyone, thank you to Detective (Monolitho) Haywood, thank you to Judge Henney. And thank you to God for carrying us through!”
Referring to Stacha’s final words to Tango, when she told him: “Leave my people alone, you may get away with it, but Jesus Knows”, Sandy said: “And today, my baby, your words came true, you said God knows.
“And you, Tango, you won’t come out to harm another little girl.”
Sandy previously revealed Tango had stuffed toilet paper down Stacha’s throat to keep her quiet as she fought him before he strangled her to death.
On Monday, the mom said: “The pathologist said she was small but she was dynamite. She bit and scratched him so there was DNA evidence.”
Outside court, people stood with white balloons and white roses in memory of Stacha.
Three relatives of Tango, including his father Steven Tango, were also at court.
Following the sentencing, Steven was chased out of court by people in the public gallery and left the building.