The state’s case against alleged child killer Melvin Volkwyn was dealt a blow yesterday as his close friend took the stand to cast doubt on accusations that he murdered toddler Orderick Lucas.
In dramatic testimony at the Western Cape High Court, Jonathan Alexander, 34, supported Volkwyn's claims that Orderick’s mom, Davedine, was a prostitute, adding she was the one who broke the child’s arm.
The hairdresser also testified that in the days after Orderick’s disappearance, he spent several days with Volkwyn, attending to clients and smoking drugs together.
It was during this time that the boy’s body was found dumped in a drain.
The flamboyant Alexander strutted down the court corridors as he prepared to take the stand, but was reduced to tears when he saw his friend in the dock for the first time since he was arrested.
In his testimony, the former drum majorette coach said he was initially friends with Davedine, but their friendship turned suur when she became a sex worker.
“Ons vriendskap het begin opbreek oor die dinge wat sy gedoen het,” he told the court.
“Sy was nie ’n goeie ma nie. Sy het my begin verraai.
“She went to go have sex while I looked after her twins and I didn't like what she was doing at all.”
Chuckles filled the courtroom when Alexander said that he wanted to call Davedine a “jintoe” but was not sure if the word was appropriate for court.
State prosecutor Mornay Julius interjected and asked whether it was relevant to the murder trial.
Defence attorney Susan Kuun said the state had brought a circumstantial case, which relied on Davedine’s testimony, to convict Volkwyn and that the defence had the right to question her credibility and Alexander was allowed to continue.
“Die woord is jintoe. ’n Jintoe is iemand wat gaan van man tot man,” added Alexander.
He further testified that he was present on the day Orderick’s arm was broken and said Davedine told the court liegstories when she blamed Volkwyn.
Standing in the witness dock, Alexander demonstrated how the mother fell with the tot, claiming she was dik gerook at the time.
According to him, he and Davedine often smoked tik and Mandrax together while Orderick was on her back and she would behave silly.
“And while he is on her back, then I must ert (get high on Mandrax) like she does and then she would fall - bwah! - on her back.
“Sy het haar eie kind se arm gebreek en sy lieg.”
He said he and homeowner Gerard saw how she fell on Orderick that day, breaking his arm.
Alexander explained he had seen Volkwyn several times after Orderick went missing, but says he appeared cool and calm.
He said the day before Davedine realised Orderick was missing, he had accompanied Volkwyn to a house where they spent the day doing the family’s hair.
He said they were paid in cash and also got wine and food to take home.
“Ons is terug na Anna se huis toe en ons het ge-party en afgekoel.
“I went to sleep about 5am and later Davedine came to knock on the door asking for her son, and Mel told her ‘ek het die kind vir jou gegee’.”
The case continues.