Mark Harvey, who allegedly doused two women with petrol and set them alight, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Harvey, accused of murder, allegedly doused Marishka Davids and Zakkiyah Rayman with petrol and set them alight on February 11.

Rayman died seven days after the attack, while Marishka died on the operating table at the end of February.

“He is a coward!” says Mandy Davids, Marishka’s mother.

After a morning of mayhem, which included the families of the two women being denied access to the court, their daughters’ alleged murderer remained behind bars.

Harvey pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and one count of arson.

The families of the deceased are still in mourning but are hopeful that justice will prevail.

“My family and friends keep our support structure strong and we try to carry one another through this difficult time. The judicial system needs to be more strict because people are getting away with so much crime, violence and trafficking, it is no longer safe for our children,” says Fazel Rayman, Zakkiyah’s father.

“For the two weeks my daughter and Zakkiyah suffered, he deserves to suffer for the pain he has caused,” she says.

Harvey will be back in the dock on April 17 for sentencing.