Stascha: ‘no bail,’ roars angry crowd
THE COURT appearance of the accused in the murder of 11-year-old Stacha Arendse has become a mobilising opportunity to rally communities around the violence perpetrated against women and children.
As Randy Tango, 31, sat in the dock of the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court to hear if he would be granted bail, outside, supporters of the victim held a placard demonstration to highlight the murders that has happened in the last couple of months. Courtroom 4 was filled to capacity as the accused entered. Tango kept his head down throughout most of the bail hearing, wearing a red T-shirt.
Stacha’s mother, Sandy Mark graff, sobbed throughout the proceedings. This was Tango’s third court appearance.
Earlier, when Tango left the court, community members outside shouted: “Hy moet nie bail kry nie.” (He must not get bail.) The demonstrations outside court included members of the Mitchells Plain community as well as community members from Lavender Hill who attended in honour of another murder victim, Rene Tracey Roman. The Mitchell’s Plain community also handed over a memorandum to police calling for an end to the brutal killings of women and children.
“Our position as the community of Mitchell’s Plain is that the raping and killing of women and children is unacceptable by any stretch of the imagination. The brutal rape and killing of Stacha Arense touches the hearts of everyone and we are saying ‘enough is enough’,” Joanie Fredericks said.
“We cannot live in a community where this type of brutality is the order of the day,” she added. She said the community was committed to supporting victims who had lost loved ones.
“As a community, we remain committed to supporting victims of violence in our midst,” she said.
After Stacha’s body was found, the Mitchell’s Plain community mobilised and formed the Mitchells Plain Crisis Forum. The forum has so far collected close to 5 000 signatures opposing bail .
Stacha’s body was found on a vacant soccer field in Swartklip Road. She had disappeared a day before after watching movies at a friend’s home in Matroosberg Street. It’s believed that Tango had used another child to lure Stacha out of the house.
The next day, her body was found, naked and badly damaged. Tango is facing three charges, of murder, rape and kidnapping. The hearing continues on Wednesday. –