A Cape Flats child killer has been sentenced to life for the attempted rape of his victim.
A two-hour trial was all it took for a judge to convict and sentence Andrew Plaatjies, 51, in the Western Cape High Court on Monday.
CASE CLOSED: Murderer and rapist Andrew Plaatjies, 51. Video: Robin-Lee Francke
He was also sentenced to life for the murder of 13-year-old Rene-Tracy Roman of Lavender Hill.
Defence lawyer Advocate Henk Carstens confirmed his client entered into a plea and sentencing agreement with the State.
The teen went missing on 10 March 2017 while on her way to the shop to buy a packet of chips.
VICTIM: Rene-Tracy Roman, 13. Photo: Supplied
Eleven days later, her half-naked body was found metres from her home, rolled up in a mat and hidden in a Wendy house at the back of Plaatjies’ girlfriend’s house.
Dressed in black Adidas tracksuit pants, a grey and black hoodie and peach takkies, Plaatjies looked confident as he sat in the dock on Monday.
The courtroom gallery was packed with Rene’s family, friends and community members.
EMOTIONAL: Rene's mother Chrissandre Jacobs, centre. Photo: Noor Slamdien / ANA Pictures
Plaatjies’ girlfriend and her daughter also attended the proceedings, opting to sit at the back of the courtroom.
There was not a dry eye in the gallery as the court heard Plaatjies’ version of events.
Carstens read: “On that day in St. Agatha Street, the accused attempted to have sex with the deceased. He pulled a plastic bag over her head.
“He pulled down her pants and her panties. He hit her over the head three times with [the backside of] an axe; twice on her head, once behind her head to neutralise and rape her without consent.
“Seeing what he had done, he became scared and he saw the deceased was not moving, so he stopped.”
Loud sobs were heard in the gallery and Rene’s mom, Chrissandre Jacobs, was inconsolable.
Judge Robert Henney said the brutal murders of young children have to stop.
Henney said children are taught about stranger danger, but the perpetrators are family and friends and people in their community.
SATISFIED: Community activist Lucinda Evans at court. Photo: Noor Slamdien/ ANA Pictures
“To satisfy your own sexual needs you used an axe, like a coward, to hit her and she sustained serious injuries,” he said.
“The assault on the deceased was to sexually violate her even though you did not follow through.
“You’ve done all these acts in preparations and conservations and thus you are sentenced to life for the attempted rape and life for the murder as the prescribed sentences.”
At this, the gallery burst into cheers and outside court, Rene’s stepfather, Mervyn Jacobs, fought back tears as he appealed to parents to take care of their children.
“We are satisfied with the sentence, but it will never bring back our child. We ask every parent look after their children. Even if they are going with family or a friend, be alert,” he says.
“Finally, our child can now rest.”
SATISFIED: Rene-Tracy Roman's family outside the court. Video: Robin-Lee Francke