The man accused of kidnapping and murdering 10-year-old Denecke Persence is expected to return to the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court today.
The little’s girl’s floating body was discovered in a canal in Macassar, last month, a day after she was reported missing.
At the time community members formed a search party for the girl.
The 55-year-old suspect, who was apprehended last Monday, is believed to be known to the family.
It is alleged the late child’s family had been renting a room from the accused at the time of the killing.
Last week, the matter was postponed in order for the suspect to obtain legal counsel.
The Macassar Community Policing Forum’s Russel Williams says the aggrieved community is demanding for bail not to be granted.
“The alleged killer will appear in court for a bail application, which we will definitely oppose. He mustn’t get bail.” says Williams.
He says the community will be out in the numbers, to support the bereaved family.
“We, in society, don’t need people like this. At this stage, it’s going to be the best for him to be in jail, even for his own safety, because the community is quite angry. You could’ve picked it up when were there last week, at court. If this man gets bail, his safety wouldn’t be guaranteed.” says Williams, adding that residents will not hold back from taking matters into their own hands.
A week ago, residents carried placards which stated “Stop hurting our Children, “No bail”, and “We want justice for Denecke”, among others.
Little Denecke was laid to rest last week Sunday.
CHILD KILLINGS ON THE UPTICK
It’s been reported that 55 children under the age of 19 have been killed between the 1st of January and mid-March.
According to Amnesty International, murder rates soared with national crime statistics for last July to September, released in November 2022, showed an increase in murders of 13.6%, compared to the same quarter in 2021. Tragically, there was also an increase of 9.8% in child murders.
READ MORE: Amnesty International: No-one is safe in South Africa
