The man who is behind bars for the 2020 murder of eight-year-old Tazné Van Wyk has been convicted.
Judgement was handed down in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday.
The 57-year-old man kidnapped the little girl near her Elsies River home, and more than a week later, he led police to her body in a stormwater drain in Worcester.
The National Prosecuting Authority says it’s satisfied with the outcome of the case against the man – as the court found the accused guilty of almost all 27 charges the State brought against him.
Most of the charges relate to multiple rape and assault cases involving young girls.
The accused remained fairly relaxed, showing occasional moments of discomfort, as judgement was handed down in the High Court on Wednesday. IMAGE: Caitlin Maledo
Of which, most notably, is the kidnapping, rape and murder of young Tazné.
The accused’s identity is being withheld at this stage, as he’s also been convicted on an incest charge.
Judge Alan Maher indicated that the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused was behind the young girl’s death.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Eric Ntabazalila says they’re hoping to get a few life sentences imposed on the accused.
“He’s been convicted on 22 of 27 charges that we [brought] against him. He’s been committing some of these crimes for many years. It shows that you may get away with it today, but in the end, [it] will catch up with you. It’s the first step towards ensuring justice for these victims. And we will come back on the 16th of January [2023], to argue for a very strong sentence against him.”
Tazné’s family, however, is still coming to terms with her death but says they’re glad everything’s coming to an end.
Her mother, Carmen Van Wyk, suggests that the justice system needs to be relooked because there are too many cases like these.
“There’s needs to be done about the justice system, because its weak. He’s one of the people coming out of parole, and yet [he committed a crime] again. How many children get kidnapped and die, still today, and nothing is happening? I think the actual [problem] is the system, it needs to change. Something need to be done about these people”.
Tazné’s mother said she’s not sure how to feel or what to say – because she’ll never get her daughter back. IMAGE: Caitlin Maledo
