Suspect Andrew Plaajies, 50, appeared via Audio Visual Remand (AVR) from Pollsmoor prison.
Rene-Tracy Roman, 13, disappeared on 10 March and her half-naked body was found wrapped in a mat in a Wendy house near her home in St Agatha Street in Lavender Hill, days later.
It is alleged Plaatjies lured the child into the house, where he lived with his girlfriend, to help him with something.
He allegedly tried, but failed, to rape her then killed her with an axe.
Rene’s mother Chrissandre Jacobs and grandmother Maurene De Villiers, broke down in tears at the sight of Plaatjies.
“Mr Plaatjies, the Director of Prosecutions has decided that your case will be tried in the Western Cape High Court,” Magistrate Goolam Bawa said.
Founder of Philisa Ababfazi Bethu, Lucinda Evans, says they are happy with the decision.
“We are going to petition to the high court that the case be sped up. We hope it’s going to be over and done with within two months,” she says.
Rene’s uncle, Stephen De Villiers, says Plaatjies will get his day in court.
“I hate him. The time Rene was missing he was leading searches and all the time he knew what he did! He did this to a loving and trustworthy child who had her whole life ahead of her,” he says.
The matter resumes 20 October.