Eldorado Park parents abandon bail bids in child murder case
The case has been postponed to October 9 for further investigations. Both accused will remain in custody.
The parents of a four-year-old Eldorado Park girl accused of her brutal murder have abandoned their bail applications following a brief appearance at the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday, August 18.
The pair, whose identities are withheld, were arrested days before their daughter passed away at hospital on August 15.
The father, referred to as accused one, faces charges of murder, rape, compelled rape, child abuse and assault of a minor.
The mother, accused two, now faces three charges after two additional counts were added: Failing to report a sexual offence against a minor, murder and child abuse.
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National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that the parents have been joined under one docket.
“On the last occasion in court we indicated that there was an assault case opened with the police in March, so upon thorough perusal of such a docket, the question that we asked ourselves as the NPA was whether or not the actions of the father should be imputed on the mother as well in an attempt to hold them criminally reliable, so the decision we have taken is that indeed the mother should be charged also with murder and child abuse under the doctrine of common purpose,” she said.
Gender-based violence activist Zelda van der Merwe, speaking outside the court, said she believes the mother is also a victim.
“I don’t think any woman would want her child to be raped or go through the things that happened to this child. When you’re in an abusive relationship, it’s not easy to leave. It’s just sad how things have ended.
ALSO READ: Eldorado Park couple face murder and rape charges after child’s death
“I wouldn’t speak ill of her because I wasn’t there and don’t know exactly what happened, but what I would say is that our people need to learn to speak out; they shouldn’t be scared because there is help available if you speak out,” she said.
Van der Merwe added that she and a friend were working on the same street when the tragedy occurred, but no one in the yard where the girl lived spoke up.
“If the neighbours or others in the yard had spoken up, the child might still be alive today,” she said.
The case has been postponed to October 9 for further investigations. Both accused remain in custody. The little girl will be laid to rest on August 19.
